February 29, 2008 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- This week's biggest news has been set in stone for months, with the official launch of Windows Server 2008, the platform that will power a lot of hosting solutions in the years to come.

On Wednesday, Microsoft  held more than 225 events around the world to launch Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008, pushing its Dynamic IT initiative, which aims to create flexible and efficient IT environments using virtualization and business intelligence solutions. Server 2008 is the company's first major update to the first major update to the company's server product since 2003. Microsoft says it offers  major enhancements over the previous version, such as improvements in administration and diagnostics, development and application tools and built-in server virtualization technology.

Along with the Microsoft's launch of server 2008, a big group of Microsoft's hosting partners immediately announced their support for the software. On launch day, several hosting providers announced that they had Server 2008 solutions ready to go. Web hosts Attenda Limited, CrystalTech Web Hosting, SoftLayer, Go Daddy and Verizon Business all jumped to announce support for the new platform.

Thursday, we reported more hosts announcing the details of their Server 2008 offerings, also in conjunction with the software's launch. Rackspace, Hostway and INetU also issued the details of their Windows Server 2008 hosting plans this week.

Along with all the Server 2008 hubub, this week saw a recurring theme of reseller projects and promotions from major hosting providers.

On Monday, AIT reported that it had launched new offerings targeting resellers, including reseller hosting packages, domain registration and the ability to become a search engine through AIT's tyBIT search company.  AIT says it offers resellers more than 100 free private-label products they can sell.

On Tuesday, Malaysian host Exabytes announced that it that it had launched a new Unlimited Linux Domains plan for its hosting resellers, offering them the flexibility to host as many domains as they want. Resellers can create an unlimited number of customer accounts within their own space and bandwidth limitations.

And on Friday, 1&1 Internet announced that it had launched an affiliate competition in conjunction with its 20th birthday. From March 1 to May 31, says the company, affiliates will receive one entry for a special prize for each 10 commissionable sales. The prizes include a seven-day cruise, widescreen TV, notebook computer, iPhone and digital cameras.

While Microsoft's beta partners were ready to launch their Server 2008 offerings this week, there will no doubt be more to come. The software is sure to produce its share of follow-up news in the coming weeks.