Supported Configurations

Hyper-V Solutions Overview Guide

Date : 9/15/2008
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Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2008 Hyper-V™ is the hypervisor-based virtualization technology from Microsoft that is integrated into all Dell supported Windows Server 2008 x64 Editions operating system. As a virtualization solution, Hyper-V allows a user to take maximum advantage of server hardware by providing the capability to run multiple operating systems (on virtual machines) on a single physical server. Windows Server 2008 introduces the concept of roles within the operating system.

Typically, a single server operating system instance is meant for a specific task and a role defines the personality that the server will assume. The roles available in Windows Server 2008 include File Server, Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, Web IIS, etc. Hyper-V is implemented as a role in Windows Server 2008.  

The integration of Hyper-V as a role in Windows Server 2008 x64 offers several key advantages:   
  • With Hyper-V integrated into the Windows Server 2008 operating system, it is easy to leverage the benefits of virtualization without adopting a new technology 
  • The new 64-bit micro-kernelized hypervisor architecture leverages device driver support in Windows Server 2008 parent partition to extend support to a broad array of Dell servers, storage, and devices 
  • Dell OpenManage™ support in the Windows Server 2008 Parent Partition for physical server management 
  • Support for Symmetric Multiprocessors (SMP) in virtual machines • Offers Virtual Machine High Availability to minimize unplanned downtime 
  • “Quick Migration” capability to support business continuity during planned downtime 
  • Robust backup capability with native support for VSS-based backup 
  • Easy extensibility using the standards based Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) interfaces and APIs