Microsoft’s Virtualization Strategy From the Data Center to the Desktop #AD3801
September 23rd, 2008 | 
Author: Although it’s VMware’s conference, every year I’ve attended Microsoft (and various other virtualization competitors) has always had a booth in the Solutions Exchange and/or presented their own session. VMworld 2008 was no exception. In fact, this year Microsoft’s presence was a little more noticeable than in the past. Starting with a marketing stunt of handing out $1 casino chips with anti VMware propaganda on Day 1, continuing throughout the conference with activities in the Solutions Exchange at their booth, and finally ending the week with their own session, Microsoft did their best to grab the attention of the attendees.
On Thursday 9.18 at 2:00 pm I sat in on Microsoft’s Virtualization session hosted by David Greshler and Edwin Yuen. The presentation was informative and entertaining with David explaining Microsoft’s server and desktop virtualization products and Edwin providing some great demos of Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager. This post is a summary of my notes along with numerous links to related videos, blogs, and sites.
What’s New in Microsoft Virtualization?
- getVirtualNow – The event on September 8 in Bellevue, WA was the kickoff of numerous worldwide events scheduled for the rest of 2008.
- Hyper-V RTM is now available via Windows Update
- System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) provides cross platform virtualization management and will be available at the end of the month
- Hyper-V Server 2008 will be available at the end of the month at no charge
- App-V 4.5 and System Center Config Manager 2007 R2 available
- Announced 24 core support for Hyper-V with Intel’s new 6 core processor
- Announced new Application Mobility Brief for 41 applications running in virtual machines
- Announced extended support for 31 applications in non Microsoft virtual machines via SVVP
What’s the status of Hyper-V?
-
Used in production at Microsoft today
The first DEMO of the session was a walkthrough of adding the Hyper-V role to server 2008 and then using the Hyper-V Manager to manage the VMs. Not to be confused with the soon to be released SCVMM, the Hyper-V Manager is a MMC installed on a XP or Vista desktop that allows remote administration of Hyper-V servers.
What is Hyper-V Server 2008?
- Free virtualization server announced at Virtualization Launch on Sept 8
- Bare metal install
- Customized, minimal OS just for running VMs.
- Command prompt and scripting window are the only user interfaces.
- Management done via RDP, the Hyper-V Manager MMC, or SCVMM
You can see a first look demo video of the Hyper-V Server 2008 in action at the getVirtualNow Launch Event on the TechNet Edge site.
What is SCVMM 2008?
- Part of Microsoft’s System Center suite of products
- Manages and monitors physical and virtual servers
- Provisions new VMs
- Consolidates servers – P2V and V2V tools built in
- Written in PowerShell
- “Outlook” look and feel
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Can manage VMware ESX servers and VMs through VirtualCenter (PowerShell)
- You do not need Hyper-V Server to manage ESX servers in SCVMM
- You do need VirtualCenter
- Can aggregate multiple VirtualCenters
- Can Vmotion guests between ESX hosts (with Vmotion license)
- Uses intelligent placement of VMs on ESX servers
- Can Manage Virtual Server
-
Integrates with Microsoft Operations Manager
- Mapping view
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Ability to drill down into OS, applications, databases and see errors
- Adding and agent to VM on ESX gives same abilities on VMware servers
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Performance and Resource Optimization (PRO)
- Alerting and event triggering
- dynamic load balancing possible on both Microsoft and VMware servers
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VM Library
- Building block deployment of VMs by storing ISOs, Virtual Disk files, answer files for sysprep, virtual floppy files, PowerShell scripts, and VM templates
The second DEMO illustrated the unified management of SCVMM and was highlighted by Edwin kicking off a Vmotion between ESX hosts. Since the first public demonstration of Hyper-V Live Migration had just occurred at the previously mentioned Launch Event, I was hoping we would see it in this session too. Unfortunately we did not, but here’s another TechNet Edge Blog video that provides a Live Migration demo and also some great detail on SCVMM.
What about desktop virtualization?
Microsoft’s strategy for desktop virtualization is the same vision that all VDI solution providers are talking about today. Microsoft’s Windows Optimized Desktop Scenarios are the family of technologies that will provide a modular approach to delivering any desktop from anywhere on any device. Microsoft’s message for desktops is that there is no “one size fits all” VM, but instead a combination of Folder Redirection and Offline Files, Microsoft Application Virtualization, Terminal Services, and Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V will create flexible desktops for different usage scenarios.
What about Cloud Computing?
David’s message was brief on cloud computing, but he indicated that Microsoft is developing the same ability to federate internal and external cloud infrastructure and services.
In summary, I was surprised and impressed with the technologies and features of SCVMM. Microsoft is definitely making some great advancements in it’s virtualization products. The cross platform virtualization management ability combined with physical server management and the integration of the complete System Center family of products looks like a great solution for any Microsoft shop – whether you use VMware ESX or Hyper-V.
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Posted in hyper-v, microsoft, scvmm, server 2008, vmworld | 
Tags: hyper-v, microsoft, powershell, scvmm, server2008, virtualization, vmworld2008, windows
