Microsoft has a tradition of implementing and using its own software products, even as early as the Beta stages. Windows Server 2008 or the platform's hypervisor make no exception to this rule. The process is dubbed dogfooding, and Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V is now running virtualized MSDN, TechNet, and increasingly larger parts of Microsoft.com. But the virtualization engine is no longer at the stage where it is solely dogfooded by the Redmond company. Microsoft is, in fact, claiming that Hyper-V is deployed by a consistent number of hosting providers, gaining increasing traction.

At HostingCon, "we're highlighting how Hyper-V can help hosting providers reduce costs and boost efficiency by consolidating datacenter resources. In just over a month, a number of hosting providers have already experienced such benefits in deploying Hyper-V, including Layered Technologies, Hostbasket, SoftCom and SoftLayer. These providers participated in the Hyper-V Go Live program, which allowed them to deploy the beta version into live production, and engage in the testing process as early adopters," revealed John Zanni, general manager for Worldwide Hosting.

Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V is designed to deliver hypervisor-based virtualization, and has been released to manufacturing approximately a month ago. Shipping as a default component of select editions of Windows Server 2008, Hyper-V enables customers to leverage limited hardware resources by running different virtualized operating systems, with support not only for Windows but also for Linux, on the same servers.

"Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V is a reliable, secure and high-performing server virtualization platform for service providers looking to consolidate servers and applications, as well as offer business continuity services at a lower cost than other virtualization technologies. We expect customers to see greater value around Microsoft's offerings because of the broad range of hardware and software solutions, the existing customer skill sets around Windows, and licensing of Microsoft products through the Service Provider Licensing Agreement (SPLA)," Zanni concluded.