Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 now available

burundi · 22-Jun-2007, 16:42

If you are running Microsoft Virtual Server the new version Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 is now available.

For me the biggest things in this version are support for hardware-assisted virtualisation for better performance and Volume Shadow Copy support, meaning you can take a backup of a running virtual machine, you no longer have to shut it down to back it up. The built in NTBackup tool supports VSS as should most modern backup programs.

The big differences in this version are:

Hardware-assisted virtualization

Supports both Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT) and AMD Virtualization (AMD-V) hardware-assisted virtualization.

VHD Mount Command-line Tool and APIs

Provides the ability to mount a virtual hard disk file (.vhd file) as a virtual disk device on another operating system.

Support for Volume Shadow Copy Service

Allows back-up of Virtual Server and its running virtual machines without needing to install backup agents inside the guest operating system of the virtual machines.

Larger default size for dynamically expanding virtual hard disks

The default size for dynamically expanding virtual hard disks has been changed from 16 GB to 127 GB, making the VHD file format even more useful for enterprise production, test, and disaster-recovery workloads.

Support for greater than 64 virtual machines on x64-based hosts

Virtual Server can run more than 64 virtual machines on x64-based hosts. The 64 virtual machine limit remains when running on 32-bit hosts.

Host clustering step-by-step guide

Host clustering allows you to extend the high-availability benefits of clustering to non-cluster-aware applications and workloads.

Virtual SCSI fix for Linux guests

This fix resolves an issue some customers encountered when trying to install certain Linux distributions inside a virtual machine on the emulated SCSI bus.

VMRC ActiveX control and Internet Explorer Security Zones

The Virtual Machine Remote Control (VMRC) ActiveX control now uses the security zone information in Internet Explorer to determine whether to prompt you for your credentials when you load the control.

Service Publication using Active Directory Service Connection Points

Virtual Server service now publishes its binding information in Active Directory as a Service Connection Point (SCP) object.

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You can't upgrade without shutting down your existing virtual machines and to install the latest version of VM Additions requires 1 reboot to uninstall the current version and another reboot after you have installed the new version, so uninstall additions before you upgrade the server program to keep your reboots to a minimum.

Virtual Server is free to download and use. You must have the necessary licences to run the OS's in a virtual environment.

Dw2k · 23-Jun-2007, 12:09

Cheers dude

22-Jun-2007, 16:42	#1
burundi WARNING: May contain nuts Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Prestonia Posts: 7,852	Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 now available If you are running Microsoft Virtual Server the new version Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 is now available. For me the biggest things in this version are support for hardware-assisted virtualisation for better performance and Volume Shadow Copy support, meaning you can take a backup of a running virtual machine, you no longer have to shut it down to back it up. The built in NTBackup tool supports VSS as should most modern backup programs. The big differences in this version are: Hardware-assisted virtualization Supports both Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT) and AMD Virtualization (AMD-V) hardware-assisted virtualization. VHD Mount Command-line Tool and APIs Provides the ability to mount a virtual hard disk file (.vhd file) as a virtual disk device on another operating system. Support for Volume Shadow Copy Service Allows back-up of Virtual Server and its running virtual machines without needing to install backup agents inside the guest operating system of the virtual machines. Larger default size for dynamically expanding virtual hard disks The default size for dynamically expanding virtual hard disks has been changed from 16 GB to 127 GB, making the VHD file format even more useful for enterprise production, test, and disaster-recovery workloads. Support for greater than 64 virtual machines on x64-based hosts Virtual Server can run more than 64 virtual machines on x64-based hosts. The 64 virtual machine limit remains when running on 32-bit hosts. Host clustering step-by-step guide Host clustering allows you to extend the high-availability benefits of clustering to non-cluster-aware applications and workloads. Virtual SCSI fix for Linux guests This fix resolves an issue some customers encountered when trying to install certain Linux distributions inside a virtual machine on the emulated SCSI bus. VMRC ActiveX control and Internet Explorer Security Zones The Virtual Machine Remote Control (VMRC) ActiveX control now uses the security zone information in Internet Explorer to determine whether to prompt you for your credentials when you load the control. Service Publication using Active Directory Service Connection Points Virtual Server service now publishes its binding information in Active Directory as a Service Connection Point (SCP) object. -- You can't upgrade without shutting down your existing virtual machines and to install the latest version of VM Additions requires 1 reboot to uninstall the current version and another reboot after you have installed the new version, so uninstall additions before you upgrade the server program to keep your reboots to a minimum. Virtual Server is free to download and use. You must have the necessary licences to run the OS's in a virtual environment.

23-Jun-2007, 12:09	#2
Dw2k spam tbh Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Scottish borders Posts: 991	Cheers dude __________________ Dave I'm not insensitive, I just don't care - http://www.fwibble.org