With Latest Server, Microsoft Rides The 64-Bit Range: Page 2 of 7

While we're sure this "dog fooding" policy, as DuBois describes it, has shaken out a few bugs, most CIOs can't grab a Windows Server developer by the ear when something goes wrong. The rest of us will download, test, and dissect Windows Server 2008 over at least a 12- to 24-month period. To get you started, here's a preview of what we'll cover in this Rolling Review.

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HYPER-V
On Feb. 19, 2003, Microsoft started its foray into virtualization by acquiring a privately held company called Connectix. Even then, customers were asking for a virtual machine that would allow for server OS upgrades while simultaneously maintaining support for legacy applications. But while VM technology was, theoretically, a great answer to a difficult problem, early success was rare. "We had to optimize code to the nth degree just to get it to work," says Jeff Woolsey of the Microsoft virtualization team. "Today, with 64-bit operating systems and virtualization-optimized processors like the Intel VT and AMD-V, a new level of performance and scalability has arrived."

Still, enterprises have always been leery of host-based virtualization, which requires all guest VMs to run inside a master operating system. If the master OS is lost or corrupted, you're toast. While Microsoft was late to the game, it realized that hypervisors, which negate the need for VMs to run inside a core operating system, were the future.

The result is Microsoft Hyper-V Server, formerly code-named Viridian. A preview of Hyper-V is available now for download with Windows Server 2008 RC1, and Microsoft says a beta version will ship with Windows Server 2008, with a general release target of 180 days after Win2k8 hits the shelves.

VMware and Xen have a big head start, and most will wait to see how well-built Microsoft's hypervisor is before switching. As for cost, while the Datacenter edition of Windows Server 2008 allows enterprises to deploy unlimited VMs on a physical server for $2,999 per processor, VMware's Infrastructure Standard allows IT to do the same for $2,995 and includes support for two processors. However, if you're tempted by the extras that come with VMware Infrastructure Enterprise, your cost will exceed that of a dual-processor Hyper-V server license, and you might consider Microsoft Windows Enterprise Server with Hyper-V, at $3,999. For that you'll get the OS license, 25 client access licenses, and four virtual instances per license. Microsoft says it's realized a physical server consolidation ratio of 8-to-1 in production data centers, so potential hardware, power, licensing, and space savings are considerable. In fact, an analysis conducted by Microsoft IT showed that power used in a full test lab server rack went from 525 amps to 8 amps, and rack space was consolidated from 32U to 2U. These stats speak to the advantages of virtualization, regardless of vendor choice. Typical results? Maybe not, but we'll take even half those savings.