Microsoft Partners who subscribe to the Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) can now download Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials (formerly codenamed “Breckenridge”).

Title: Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials
File names: 
SW_DVD9_Win_Storage_Server_Essentials_2008_R2_English_Install_X17-30240.IMG &
SW_CD_Win_Storage_Server_Essentials_2008_R2_English_Clt_Restore_X17-30259.IMG
Date Available: 05/16/2011
Language: English
File size: 4,572 MB
Download URL: Click here

Note: A Microsoft Partner Network login and subscription to MAPS is required to access this download.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Processor: 1.3 GHz
RAM: 750 MB
Hard Disk Space: 1.2 GB

Props: Thanks to Susan Bradley for the heads-up.

Per Ron Grattopp’s blog (Microsoft TS2 Presenter Extraordinaire) , the next Microsoft Action Pack Subscription (MAPS) update will include Windows Vista Business w/ SP1 slipstreamed.

That’s cool, but even cooler, the MAPS update will contain one copy of Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1.

Per the Microsoft Partner web site:

• Mid-March 2008 delivery of Microsoft Windows Vista Business with SP1 in a special Action Pack shipment to partners worldwide. To make it easier for you to deploy the final release of Windows Vista SP1 for internal use, all subscribers will receive full code. Not currently an Action Pack subscriber? Find out how to subscribe. New subscribers will receive Windows Vista with SP1 as part of the April 2008 Welcome Kit.

• One license for Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 (full code*) for internal use, so you can discuss this product’s benefits and features with customers who need a single PC to fulfill their work, travel, and entertainment needs. This software will be delivered in the regular Action Pack quarterly update (April 2008) for current subscribers, and for new Action Pack subscribers starting in April 2008.

• A comprehensive set of readiness resources to arm you to sell and support Windows Vista SP1 solutions for your small- or midsize-business customers as momentum builds.

• Exciting incentives and promotions that reward you for learning, using, and selling SP1.

Source: https://partner.microsoft.com/40052827

So be on the lookout for the mid-March MAPS update. And thanks for the heads-up Ron.