We know PHP hasn't always run smoothly on the Windows platform, so we've now optimised Windows Server 2008 to support your applications through a new component, FastCGI. Developed in partnership with Zend, FastCGI works as an interface between PHP scripts and IIS 7, so you won't have to resort to writing workarounds. And if you do encounter any problems, IIS 7 has built-in support for PHP too.
As other developers have found, Windows Server 2008 offers a single, robust platform for applications written in Open Source or ASP.NET, and can greatly improve their performance. For example, BABOO, a leading technology website in Brazil, migrated their PHP based forum to Windows Server 2008 and it can now easily handle over double the number of concurrent users.
See what other developers are saying about PHP on Windows Server 2008 by visiting the forums on these key PHP websites:
Keep an eye out for our hotly anticipated Q and A sessions to be hosted on these forums in forthcoming months. We'll be discussing hot Windows Server 2008 and PHP topics and you'll have the chance to ask any burning questions you have to Hank Janssen, Director of Program Management at the Microsoft Open Source Technology Centre, and other members of his team. In the meantime you’re also invited to download the WS 2008 trial and send your feedback to the team (via the individual PHP forums detailed) in advance of the Q and A sessions.
Try popular open source PHP web apps with the Microsoft Web Platform Installer or Web PI. The Microsoft Web PI is a free tool that makes it simple to download, install and keep up-to date with the latest components of the Microsoft Web Platform, including IIS, SQL Server Express, .NET Framework, PHP and Visual Web Developer.
Install Now
To try testing your own PHP applications on Windows Server 2008, you can either download a trial version right now, or even better, get a free 30-60 day trial and a dedicated server setup with one of our trusted partners.
With Windows Server 2008 you can benefit just like BABOO (a leading technology Web site in Brazil). BABOO improved the performance of its discussion forum when it migrated from Windows Server 2003 - enabling it to handle 22,000 concurrent users instead of 9,000.
Please note, you might find the response time is slightly slower than the trial with a Microsoft Partner.
