News

Citrix Plans 'Constellation' to Coincide with Windows Longhorn

At its iForum conference in Las Vegas this week, Citrix unveiled a major technology initiative that will provide the foundations for “next generation” virtualization products it plans to introduce in the same timeframe as Microsoft’s Windows “Longhorn” server.

Codenamed “Project Constellation,” the initiative “comprises new innovative technologies that have been under development for the past two years and will result in many new application virtualization products, features and options,” Mark Templeton, president and CEO of the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based company said in a statement.

Although Citrix officials disclosed few details regarding Constellation, they said the technologies fall into six areas: system health monitoring, automatic load balancing, graphics acceleration, service level agreement monitoring and management, on-demand system configuration, and improved access compliance.

Microsoft’s follow-on to Windows Server 2003 R2, still codenamed “Longhorn” server, is currently due out sometime in 2007.

“Constellation represents our vision of the future of application virtualization,” Templeton added.

About the Author

Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.