After announcing the Windows 7 RTM Availability, Microsoft has announced the availability dates of Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM:
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009: OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) will receive Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM in English and all Language Packs. The remaining languages will be available around August 11th.
Friday, August 14th, 2009: ISV (Independent software vendor), IHV (Independent hardware vendor), MSDN & TechNet Subscribers will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM in English, French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish on August 14th and all remaining languages starting August 21st.
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009: Microsoft Partner Program Gold/Certified Partners will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM through the Microsoft Partner Program (MPP) Portal on August 19th. Volume License (VL) customer with an existing Software Assurance (SA) license, will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM on August 19th via the Volume License Service Center (VLSC).
Thursday, August 20th, 2009: you can download the 180 day evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 R2 from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/try-it.aspx
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009: Microsoft Action Pack Subscribers will be able to download Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM starting August 23rd.
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009: Volume License (VL) customers without Software Assurance (SA) agreements will be able to purchase Windows Server 2008 R2 through Volume Licensing on September 1st
Monday, September 14th, 2009: Windows Server 2008 R2 will be available in the retail channel on September 14th
Click here for a calendar view or import this calendar (ICS).
Source: TechNet Blogs
