Comparison between Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008

October 4, 2008 · 1 min read

The following table summarizes the differences between different Server OS's capable of Hyper-V.

http://www.microsoft.com/servers/hyper-v-server/how-to-get.mspx

The following table outlines which Hyper-V–enabled product would suit your needs:

Virtualization Needs

Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 Standard

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter

Server Consolidation

Available Available Available Available

Test and Development

Available Available Available Available

Mixed OS Virtualization (Linux and Windows)

Available Available Available Available

Local Graphical User Interface

  Available Available Available

High Availability—Clustering

    Available Available

Quick Migration

    Available Available

Large Memory Support (Host OS) > 32 GB RAM

    Available Available

Support for > 4 Processors (Host OS)

    Available Available

Ability to Add Additional Server Roles

  Available Available Available

Guest Virtualization Rights Included in Host Server License

None—Each Windows Guest VM Requires a License

1 Physical + 1 VM*

1 Physical + 4 VMs*

1 Physical + Unlimited VMs (Free)

* Each additional Windows guest VM requires a license.

If you need to acquire and host new server licenses, Windows Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter provide the best value.

This article is part of the GWB Archives. Original Author: Kit Ong

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