Top > Webmaster > 2006 > June > 2006-06-15

Microsoft Limit Visa Beta Downloads Due To Massive Traffic

Although the consumer version of Microsoft Windows Vista won`t be available before January 2007, a testing version can be downloaded from Microsoft`s site. Windows Vista Beta 2 is available for the general public for free download and testing, but now Microsoft announced that because so many people will try downloading the new operation system, they consider limiting the number of downloads.

The 32-bit version of the software weights over 3 GB and all Internet traffic might be affected by the millions who are downloading it. Microsoft posted a message on their site asking users to contact the company and ask for the DVD version of the software, rather than downloading the 3 GB files. Microsoft`s representative said that if the company will increase the bandwidth for additional Vista download, then "taking down the Internet" is a real possibility.

Analysts say that taking the entire Internet down will not happen that soon, but Microsoft could have found a better solution for distributing Vista Beta 2. Peer-to-Peer technologies could make the entire ordeal a much pleasant experience. "If Microsoft was interested in maximizing the availability of the Vista public beta, they could have leveraged P2P distribution," said Nitin Gupta, a Yankee Group analyst.