Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 is now Available for Download
You can check out the information at the following URL:
http://www.microsoft.com/servers/hyper-v-server/default.mspx
"Since Hyper-V Server is a dedicated stand-alone product, which contains only the Windows Hypervisor, Windows Server driver model and virtualization components, it provides a small footprint and minimal overhead."
This is a stand-alone Virtualization Server offering, it is not a Windows Server in the traditional sense. Notice that we call it Hyper-V Server, not Windows Hyper-V Server. We provide a UI for management of the server, but it is a small footprint and just provides the Hypervisor and required services to support the Virtual Machines.
The offering is free and does not require any licensing on its own, but every OS you virtualize must still be properly licensed. For example, if we put Server 2003 on top of Hyper-V server (within a VM), the Server 2003 server must have a server license and the appropriate CALs for every user that accesses the services of the 2003 Server. This will be a great utility platform for virtualization testing, or deployment in a smaller environment, where some of the additional values of Server 2008 with Hyper-V are not needed. If you need some of the additional features like High Availability, you will need to move to Server 2008 Enterprise, but Hyper-V Server will provide a great entry into the world of virtualization if you have yet to take the leap into virtualization.
Until next time!
Rob