New Incentive to Upgrade to ESX/ESXi 3.5 Update 2 – VMware SVVP Validation
September 5th, 2008 | 
Author: I wrote a post for the Virtualization Pro Blog titled VMware achieves Microsoft SVVP validation – New reason to upgrade to ESX 3.5 Update 2 that I wanted to expand on here on VM /ETC. Specifically, now that VMware has achieved the SVVP validation, I wanted to emphasize that the only version of ESX covered is the latest version, ESX 3.5 Update 2 (ESX 3.5 U2). Previous versions are not entitled to the extended, cooperative support from VMware and Microsoft. ESXi 3.5 is not explicitly mentioned in any of the reports I have read this week, but I assume ESXi 3.5 U2 is entitles you to the same SVVP privileges.
This is huge if you are a Microsoft shop, and, in case you have not noticed, most companies are. If you are running any of the Microsoft applications listed here in a VMware virtual machine (VM) you should be planning an upgrade to your ESX hosts. The new support benefits are worth the effort. Even if you are still skeptical because of recent events related to the U2 versions the SVVP validation should make you reconsider.
Read the whole post at the link above.
updated 09.05.08 – It’s important to know that the SVVP validation is achieved for the Microsoft applications running on Server 2008. However, the SVVP product catalog also states the following:
“Products that have passed the SVVP requirements for Windows Server 2008 are considered supported on Windows 2000 Server SP4 and Windows Server 2003 SP2 and later”
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Does this cover the OS?
So I can run Exchange 2007 in a VM, but I can’t run it on Windows 2003.
Shawn,
Unfortunately, Exchange 2007 SP1 is only supported as a VM with Server 2008 as the OS.
! CORRECTION !
Thanks to ChrisWolf.com’s post it appears Exchange 2007 Windows 2003 is supported on VMware under SVVP. http://www.chriswolf.com/?p=189
Chris provides a link to the SVVP product catalog where the following is stated:
Products that have passed the SVVP requirements for Windows Server 2008 are considered supported on Windows 2000 Server SP4 and Windows Server 2003 SP2 and later.