The Windows Observer--Windows Virtual Server R2 SP1 Beta-2 Released

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Volume 3, Number 30 -- September 6, 2006

Windows Virtual Server R2 SP1 Beta-2 Released

Published: September 6, 2006

by Alex Woodie

Microsoft last week issued a second beta of Windows Server Virtual Server 2005 Release 2 Service Pack 1. The new beta adds support for new AMD virtualization technology, to go along with support for Intel virtualization technology introduced with the first beta, as well as better Active Directory integration, support for Volume Shadow Service, and offline virtual hard disk (VHD) mounting, according to Microsoft. The company also committed to support Windows Vista as a guest operating system under Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1.

Windows Virtual Server enables multiple operating system images, including X86-compatible systems such as Windows, Netware, and Linux, to be installed on a single Windows server as a way to drive up utilization rates and cut down on server sprawl. The software is based on the virtualization technology that Microsoft acquired from Connectix three years ago.

However, the technology's longevity in separate product form is questionable, as Microsoft gears up for the introduction of the "Viridian" hypervisor that will work with Windows Server "Longhorn" OS and take over many of the tasks currently done by Virtual Server. While Microsoft's long term virtualization strategy hinges on Viridian, it's pledged that it won't pull the plug on Virtual Server, which is a relatively new product, and one that is used by its enterprise customers.

The software giant also announced that partners can now register, via the Microsoft Web site, for permission to redistribute Virtual Server 2005 R2 and Virtual PC 2004 products with their own applications. This was good news for Portlock, a Microsoft partner that is redistributing Virtual Server 2005 R2 with its software. "We are very interested in this program so our customers have a more convenient deployment experience and feel it is crucial in our support of Microsoft's Virtual Server products," says John Hanley, chief executive officer of Portlock.

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Editor: Alex Woodie

Contributing Editors: Dan Burger, Joe Hertvik,
Shannon O'Donnell, Timothy Prickett Morgan

Publisher and Advertising Director: Jenny Thomas

Advertising Sales Representative: Kim Reed

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Go to our contacts page and send us a message.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Zero-Day Word Exploit Making the Rounds

Microsoft Releases Windows Vista RC1, New OS Pricing

Intel to Cut 10,500 Jobs to Save $6 Billion

Does the Size of Your IT Supplier Really Matter?

But Wait, There's More:

Windows Virtual Server R2 SP1 Beta-2 Released . . . Microsoft Rewards Executives with $951 Million in Stock Grants . . . Red Cross To Use 'KatrinaSafe' People-Locator in Future Disasters . . . Tandberg Acquires Exabyte as Tape Market Consolidates . . . Companies Continue to Consume Massive Amounts of Storage . . . Researchers Build Prototype Ion Pump to Cool Chips . . .

The Windows Observer

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Novell Sees Sales Slip in Q3, Undertakes Stock Option Review SPEC Creates New CPU2006 Benchmark Tests Scalent to Support Solaris with Virtual Operating Environment As I See It: Biology and Technology--the Uneasy Union


Frequent Deniers Club Top Mainframe Stories and Vendor Announcements Chats, Webinars, Seminars, Shows, and Other Happenings


SPEC Creates New CPU2006 Benchmark Tests Intel Delivers 'Tulsa' Xeon MP Server Chip Early Scalent to Support Solaris with Virtual Operating Environment As I See It: Productivity and Relationship