Straight from Microsoft

Jun 27, 2008 17:04 GMT  ·  By

Even though it might seem like an overstatement, the fact of the matter is that Microsoft is actually providing all the information consumers need to know about Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, and centralizing it proved quite a task. Hyper-V is delivered as an update for Windows Server 2008, available for download as of June 26, 2008, which can be installed as a role in the latest Microsoft Windows server operating system.

Hyper-V was initially released in December 2007 in Beta stage, then moved to Release Candidate 0 in March 2008, then to RC1 in May, and was released to manufacturing this week. Hyper-V comes in packaged for both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008, but essentially the x64 release provides the Hyper-V technology, in addition to the Hyper-V Manager console and the Virtual Machine Connection tool for x64-based editions of the Windows server platform, which are also offered for the x84 variants of the OS.

"You need to apply the x64 version to upgrade the Hyper-V role in the parent partition to RTM," explained John Howard, Senior Program Manager, Hyper-V team, Windows Core Operating System Division. "I recommend you apply [the Hyper-V update] to all Windows Server 2008 physical machines to ensure that the Hyper-V beta components (present on the RTM build of Windows Server 2008) are updated, for both x86 architectures and x64 architectures. Make sure you choose the correct download applicable to your machine architecture. This KB also contains the Hyper-V RTM remote management tools for Windows Server 2008."

The official release notes for Hyper-V are available for download here. Additionally, Microsoft is providing resources related to Hyper-V and BitLocker Drive Encryption, up for grabs via this link. An additional update for 32-bit and for 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 is offered, delivering support for Hyper-V running on platforms set up in accordance with the following languages: Czech, Hungarian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Turkish and Chinese. On top of this, two Windows Vista Updates x86 and x64 will bring to the table the remote management tools for Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V.

"To upgrade to RTM, you need to apply KB950050 to the parent partition AND upgrade/install the RTM Integration Services in each virtual machine. For new installations, the general steps are: install RTM Windows Server 2008; x64 Standard, Enterprise or Datacenter; Select Core or full installation option as required; apply the x64 version of the KB950050 update and reboot; add the Hyper-V role (Server Manager or ocsetup) . After virtual machine operating system installation has completed, Insert the Integration Services setup disk into each virtual machine (Actions menu on Virtual Machine Connection), run setup.exe inside the virtual machine (or use autoplay if enabled), and reboot the virtual machine," Howard said adding extra information about upgrade options, a FAQ, Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 tools, and the limits of Hyper-V.

And last but not least, Microsoft is not yet done with the distribution of Hyper-V. This is only the first phase, in which the hypervisor is released through the Download Center. On July 8, 2008, Hyper-V RTM will be made available through Windows Update.

Hyper-V hits RTM interview with Mike Neil

Hyper-V Part 1 - Architecture - Interview with PMs

Hyper-V Part 2 - VM Snapshots - Interviews with PMs

Hyper-V Part 3 - TAP and VSS Snapshots - Interview with PMs

Hyper-V Part 4 - Disks and iSCSI - Interview with PMs