Introduction

Windows Server 2008 now includes Hyper-V, Microsoft’s new technology for hardware virtualization. Hardware virtualization makes it possible for multiple, different OSs to run simultaneously on a computer, each in its own virtual machine (VM) that emulates a complete computer in software. The technology enables organizations to reduce the number of servers in their computing infrastructures and increase the operational efficiency of existing servers by breaking the bonds between workloads and servers. For Microsoft, hardware virtualization offers an opportunity to move customers to the new Windows Server 2008 and the newest versions of its server software, such as SQL Server and Exchange, and Microsoft partners can assist customers in planning and migration of existing computing workloads and applications to a virtualized environment and with ongoing management of the VMs. However, hardware virtualization introduces significant new hardware requirements and new management, support, and licensing challenges.