Virtualization Products and Technologies

Microsoft provides an end-to-end suite of virtualization products and technologies — all tied together by a centralized management system.

Server Virtualization

Hardware Virtualization uses software to create a Virtual Machine (VM) that emulates a physical computer. This creates a separate OS environment that is logically isolated from the host server. By providing multiple VMs at once, this approach allows several operating systems to run simultaneously on a single physical machine.

Rather than paying for many under-utilized server machines, each dedicated to a specific workload, server virtualization allows those workloads to be consolidated onto a smaller number of more fully-used machines.

Benefits

  • Consolidates multiple, under-utilized physical servers on a single host, running Virtual Machines

  • Reduces workforce/space/kilowatt by leveraging virtualization for server consolidation and agility

  • Helps save money because less managing, less space and less kilowatt hours are needed

Beginning with Windows Server 2008, server virtualization using Hyper-V technology has been an integral part of the operating system. Windows Server 2008 R2 introduces a new version of Hyper-V. Hyper-V makes it easier than ever to take advantage of the cost savings of virtualization through Windows Server 2008.

Benefits

  • Increased availability for virtualized data centers through enhancements such as Live Migration

  • Improved management of virtualized data centers through Powershell and System Center integration

  • Increased Performance and Hardware Support for Hyper-V Virtual Machines via 64 logical processor support and processor compatibility mode

  • Improved Virtual Networking Performance through new networking technologies

  • A simplified method for physical and virtual computer deployments by using .vhd files

  • Designed to provide a secure computing platform across both physical and virtual environments, enabled through next-generation architecture and security features

Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 is a stand-alone product that provides a simplified, reliable, cost-effective and optimized virtualization solution that helps enable organizations to improve server utilization and reduce costs.

Benefits

  • Enables workload consolidation onto a single physical server

  • Provides a basic and simplified virtualization solution for development and test environments

  • Works with existing IT infrastructures, helping companies to reduce costs, improve utilization and provision new servers

  • Capitalizes on existing patching/provisioning/management and support tools/processes

*Calculated with SCE 2007 and SCVMM WE each discounted 55% when purchased with 2-year SA.

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Integrate your physical and virtual management with Microsoft System Center Essentials 2007 and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 Workgroup Edition.

Related Resources

Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 provides the virtual OS that lets you increase hardware utilization and rapidly configure and deploy new servers. Virtual Server runs on Windows Server 2003, and Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 provides a virtualization platform that can host most major x86 operating systems.

Benefits

  • Consolidates multiple workloads to enable more efficient and simple management of hardware resources

  • Helps ensure robust and stable device support and broad device compatibility through the Windows host OS’s qualified device drivers

  • Isolates virtual machines to allow each workload to execute as if it were running on its own physical server

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