Virtualization
With
Hyper-V, the Microsoft hypervisor-based server virtualization
technology, plus flexible licensing policies, it's now easier than ever
to take advantage of the cost savings of virtualization through Windows
Server 2008 R2. This enables you to make the best use of your server
hardware investments by consolidating multiple server roles as separate
virtual machines (VMs) running on a single physical machine and also
efficiently run multiple different operating systems—Windows, Linux, and
others—in parallel, on a single server, and fully leverage the power of
x64 computing.
Microsoft Windows Server
2008 R2 Hyper-V builds on the architecture and functions of Windows
Server 2008 Hyper-V by adding multiple new features that enhance product
flexibility. The adoption of virtualization in the enterprise has
increased flexibility in deployment and life cycle management of
applications. IT professionals deploy and use virtualization to
consolidate workloads and reduce server sprawl. Additionally, they
deploy virtualization with clustering technologies to provide a robust
IT infrastructure with high availability and quick disaster recovery.
Even so, customers are looking for more flexibility.
Live Migration
Windows
Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V provides greater flexibility with live
migration. Live migration is integrated with Windows Server 2008 R2
Hyper-V and Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2. With Hyper-V live
migration, you can move running virtual machines (VMs) from one Hyper-V
physical host to another, without any disruption or perceived loss of
service. IT professionals increasingly look to live migration to create a
dynamic and flexible IT environment that responds to emerging business
needs. Live migration provides the core technology required for dynamic
load balancing, VM placement, high availability for virtualized
workloads during physical computer maintenance, and reduced data center
power consumption.
Dynamic Memory
New in Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1, Dynamic Memory enables customers to better utilize the memory resources of Hyper-V hosts by balancing how memory is distributed between running virtual machines. Memory can be dynamically reallocated between different virtual machines in response to the changing workloads of these machines. Dynamic Memory thus enables more efficient use of memory while maintaining consistent workload performance and scalability. Implementing Dynamic Memory means that higher levels of server consolidation can be achieved with minimal impact on performance.
Dynamic Memory also means
larger numbers of virtual desktops per Hyper-V host for VDI scenarios.
The net result for both scenarios is more efficient use of expensive
server hardware resources, which can translate into easier management
and lower costs. Historically, different methods have been used to
deploy operating systems and applications to physical and virtual
computers. For virtual computers, the .vhd file format has become a de
facto standard for deploying and interchanging preconfigured operating
systems and applications. Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2 supports two
important updates concerning .vhd files.