Hyper-V FAQ

Q.  What is Hyper-V Server?

A.  Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 is a stand-alone hypervisor-based server virtualization product that
allows customers to virtualize workloads onto a single physical server. It provides a simplified, reliable and
optimized virtualization solution that easily plugs into customers’ existing IT infrastructure enabling them to
improve server utilization and reduce costs.

Q.  What are the key benefits of Microsoft Hyper-V Server?

A.  Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 is a simplified and optimized stand-alone server virtualization product. It
contains just the Windows hypervisor and other kernel components to support virtualization. Since Microsoft
Hyper-V Server 2008 is built on the Windows hypervisor, it has an inherently more secure architecture with
no third-party device drivers in it. It easily plugs into customers’ IT existing environments leveraging their
existing patching, provisioning, management and support tools and processes. ITPros can easily to leverage
their existing knowledge and skills with Microsoft virtualization products, as well as the collective
knowledge of the community, minimizing any learning curve.

Q.  What are the new features of Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2?

A.  The key new features in Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 are:

 Live Migration
 Host Clustering
 Support for up to 64 Logical Processors
 Processor Compatibility Mode for live migration– allows live migration across different CPU
versions within the same processor family, (e.g.”Intel Core 2-to-Intel Pentium 4” or “AMD Opteron-
to-AMD Athlon”) enabling migration across a broader range of Hyper-V host hardware.
 Networking Enhancements:
o VM Chimney (TCP Offload) and VMQ support are disabled by default
 Jumbo Frame Support
 Improved network performance via support for TCP Chimney and VMQ (specific
hardware NICs required)
o Performance Enhancements:
 Hot Add/Remove of storage (VHDs and Pass Through Disks)
 Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) processor support for both Intel (EPT) and
AMD (RVI)
 Core Parking
 Improved VHD performance for dynamic and difference disks

Q.  Will System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) support Microsoft Hyper-V Server? When will
it be available?

A.  System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 is required to manage Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008
R2. It is available today. An eval version of SCVMM is currently available or download from
http://www.microsoft.com/scvmm.
Q.  How do I install Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008? Is it an application?

A.  Microsoft Hyper-V Server is a stand-alone hypervisor-based server virtualization product that allows
customers to virtualize multiple operating systems onto a single physical server. It provides a simplified,
reliable and optimized virtualization solution that easily plugs into customers’ existing IT infrastructure
enabling them to improve server utilization and reduce costs.

Q.  What processor architectures do you support?

A.  Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 supports single and multi-core x64 processors. Microsoft Hyper-V
Server 2008 R2 requires 64-bit machines with AMD-V or Intel Virtualization Technology enabled
processors. Hyper-V server does not support Itanium systems.

Q.  How many guest OSes can I run?

A.  The actual number of guest OSes will depend on the physical hardware and the characteristics of the
different virtualized workloads. The maximum number of guest instances that can run on Microsoft Hyper-V
Server 2008 R2 is 384. Additionally, each guest OS must have a valid license. For more information on
about Virtual machines and Guest Operating Systems visit: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-
gb/library/cc794868(WS.10).aspx.

Q.  Which guest OSes will it support?

A.  Microsoft Hyper-V Server will support all guest operating systems supported on Windows Server 2008
Hyper-V.For a complete list of supported guest operating systems please see:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/cc794868(WS.10).aspx.

Q.  What sorts of upgrades are permitted? Can I go from Microsoft Hyper-V Server to a full installation of
Windows Server 2008? Will I be able to upgrade to a future version of Microsoft Hyper-V Server?

A.  Microsoft Hyper-V Server is a separate stand-alone product. Customers cannot upgrade from a previous
version of Windows Server to Microsoft Hyper-V Server. Customers cannot upgrade from Microsoft Hyper-
V Server to Windows Server 2008 as they are different products. To migrate from a Microsoft Hyper-V
Server environment to a Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V environment, export the virtual machines from
Hyper-V Server, install Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition, enable the Hyper-V role and import the
virtual machines.

Q.  What is the price of Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2? Will it require CALs? Will it be available in all
channels?

A.  Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 will be available as a free download. CALs are only required for
Windows Server and all Windows Server images that are virtualized, regardless of virtualization platform.
No CALs are required for Microsoft Hyper-V Server

Q.  What is the difference between Hyper-V and Microsoft Hyper-V Server?

A. Hyper-V is the hypervisor-based virtualization feature of Windows Server 2008. Microsoft Hyper-V
Server is the hypervisor-based server virtualization product that allows customers to consolidate workloads
onto a single physical server.
Clustering and Live Migration
Q.  Is Clustering and Live Migration included in Hyper-V Server 2008 R2?

A.  Yes. Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 includes live migration and host clustering and Hyper-V Server 2008 R2
will be available for free.

Q.  Up to how many nodes on a cluster does Live Migration support?

A.  Live Migration is supported on up to 16 node failover clusters.

Q.  What is the maximum number of supported VMs per node?

A.  For production deployment, up to 64 VMs per node are supported. Customers must plan for adequate
capacity when a failover occurs and VMs from the failed host are brought online on different nodes of the
cluster.

Q.  Will Live Migration work on with a cluster of mixed AMD and Intel host nodes?

A.  For Live Migration to work, all cluster nodes must have processors from the same processor vendor, for
example Intel or AMD.

Q.  Assuming host nodes have a virtualization capable processor from the same manufacturer, can I migrate
a VM from a host using an older processor to a host with a newer processor?

A.  It is highly recommended to use identical processors on all nodes of a cluster using Quick or Live
Migration.

Live Migration or Quick Migration will work moving VMs from and older processor to a newer processor.
However, to migrate a VM from a newer processor to an older processor, the VM must be turned off and
restarted after moving the VM.

A new functionality is the “Processor Compatibility” option. This functionality can be enabled for VMs to
allow both Live Migration and Quick Migration from newer to older processors from the same manufacturer.

The setting is under VM settings > Processor > “Migrate to a physical computer with a different processor
version”.

You can live migrate or quick migrate a running VM from an older processor to new processor and back
without the “Processor Compatibility” option as long as the VM is running all the time.

Q.  Are there any new tools included with Hyper-V Server R2 to help manage the server?

A.  A new server configuration script is available in the Hyper-V Server 2008 R2. Type sconfig at the
command line to start the server configuration utility.

System Requirements
Q.  What are the system requirements for Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2?

A.  Read the system requirements for Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2

Hyper-V Server: Architecture, Memory and CPU
Q.  Can you describe the capabilities of Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 virtual machines?

A.  Hyper-V Server virtual machines provide:

 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) virtual machines

 Up to 4 virtual processors per virtual machine
 Total memory of all running virtual machines supported up to 1 TB

Q.  Are there any limitations to the number of processors and/or cores that Microsoft Hyper-V Server can
utilize?

A.  Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 supports systems with up to 64 logical processors on the physical machine.

Q.  Are there any physical memory limitations to Microsoft Hyper-V Server?

A.  Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 supports up to 1 TB of physical memory.

Q.  Does Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 require any special hardware drivers?

A.  No. Microsoft Hyper-V Server uses standard Windows drivers. Microsoft Hyper-V Server shares some
things in common with Windows Server 2008 with the Hyper-V role enabled including a common kernel and
drivers.

Q.  Are there any limits to the number of virtual machines Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 can run?

A. Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 can run up to 384 virtual machines or as many will fit within 1 TB of
memory whichever comes first.

Q.  Does Microsoft Hyper-V Server use the new driver enlightened architecture (VSP/VSC/VMbus) for high
performance I/O?

A.  Yes.

Q.  Does Microsoft Hyper-V Server use a parent partition like Windows Server 2008 with the Hyper-V role
enabled?

A.  Yes. Microsoft Hyper-V Server shares some things in common with Windows Server 2008 with the
Hyper-V role enabled including a common kernel and drivers.

Q.  What guest operating systems does Microsoft Hyper-V Server support?

A.   Microsoft Hyper-V Server and Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V both support the same guest
operating systems.
Microsoft Hyper-V Server Storage
Q.  What types of physical storage does Microsoft Hyper-V Server support?

A.  Hyper-V offers flexible storage support such as:

 Direct Attach Storage (DAS): SATA, eSATA, PATA, SAS, SCSI, USB, FIrewire
 Storage Area Networks (SANs): iSCSI, Fiber Channel, SAS

Q.  Are virtual machines created with Microsoft Hyper-V Server compatible with virtual machines created
with Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V?

A.  Yes.

Q.  Does Microsoft Hyper-V Server include Live Backup support through Volume Shadow Services?

A.  Yes, Hyper-V Server includes support for Live Backup when used with a suitable backup solution such
as System Center Data Protection Manager.

Q.  Does Microsoft Hyper-V Server include virtual machine snapshots?

A.  Yes.

Microsoft Hyper-V Server Management

Q.  Does Microsoft Hyper-V Server include any local UI?

A.  Hyper-V Server includes a minimal, easy to use command-line based UI for system configuration. This
allows a user to easily configure system settings such as:

 Changing the computer name

 Joining the server to a domain
 Configuring DHCP/Static IP Address Settings
 Enabling Remote Desktop
 Enabling Failover Clustering
 Configuring Remote Administration settings

Q.  Can you create virtual machines and manage them locally?

A.  Virtual machine creation, configuration and management are accomplished remotely.

Q.  How do you manage Microsoft Hyper-V Server?

A.  Hyper-V Server can be managed in a number of ways:

 Remotely from Windows Server 2008 (x86/x64) using the Hyper-V Manager MMC
 Remotely from Windows Vista SP1 (x86 /x64) using the Hyper-V Manager MMC
 Remotely from System Center Virtual Machine Manager

Additionally, Hyper-V Server includes a WMI interface for remote management extensibility. The WMI
interfaces are detailed here: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc136992(VS.85).aspx.
Q.  Can you use PowerShell locally with Microsoft Hyper-V Server?

A.  Yes. PowerShell is now included with Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2. PowerShell can be enabled
from the SCONFIG menu.

Microsoft Hyper-V Server Licensing

Q.  Does Microsoft Hyper-V Server require Client Access Licenses (CALs)?

A.  No.

Q.  Can I run applications in the Microsoft Hyper-V Server parent partition?

A.  No. The Microsoft Hyper-V Server parent partition is specifically for system management.

Q.  What distribution channels will Microsoft Hyper-V Server be available in?

A.  Hyper-V Server2008 R2 is available as a free download.

Q.  Does Microsoft Hyper-V Server require a special OEM Pre-installation Kit (OPK)?

A.  No. Hyper-V Server doesn’t require a special OPK, but it is 100 percent compatible with it.

Q.  Does Microsoft Hyper-V Server require a product key?

A.  No.

Q.  Will Microsoft Hyper-V Server be available in multiple languages?

A.  Yes. Microsoft Hyper-V Server is available in the following languages:

 English (EN-US)
 German (DE-DE)
 Japanese (JA-JP)
 French (FR-FR)
 Spanish (ES-ES)
 Chinese Hong-Kong (ZH-HK)
 Chinese Simplified (ZH-CN)
 Korean (KO-KR)
 Portuguese (Brazil) (PT-BR)
 Chinese Traditional (ZH-TW)
 Italian (IT-IT)
 Russian (RU-RU)

Q.  Are you saying that Microsoft Hyper-V Server includes all twelve languages? How does one choose the
language?

A.  Yes. Microsoft Hyper-V Server includes all twelve languages. The first screen a user is presented with is
to choose the language they wish to install Microsoft Hyper-V Server.

Q.  Is it possible to “upgrade” a Microsoft Hyper-V Server to Windows Server 2008?

A.  No. Microsoft Hyper-V Server and Windows Server 2008 are different products. To migrate from a
Microsoft Hyper-V Server environment to a Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V environment, export the virtual
machines from Hyper-V Server, install Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition, enable the Hyper-V role
and import the virtual machines.

Hyper-V Server 2008 (RTM/SP2) -> Hyper-V Server 2008 R2

Parent Partition
Q.  Can I upgrade my Hyper-V Server 2008 RTM/SP2 host to Hyper-V Server 2008 R2?

A.  Host upgrades of Hyper-V Server installations from Hyper-V Server RTM/SP2 to Hyper-V Server 2008
R2 are NOT supported by Microsoft. Host upgrades from Hyper-V Server 2008 to Hyper-V Server 2008 R2
are not blocked by the installer but upgrades are untested and not recommended.

Child Partitions
Q.  I have a number of virtual machines that I created using Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V or Hyper-V
Server 2008 RTM. Can I move these virtual machines to Hyper-V Server 2008 R2?

A.  The following methods of moving a VM from WS2008 and Hyper-V Server RTM to Hyper-V Server R2
will be supported:

 Exporting a VM from a machine running WS2008/Hyper-V Server 2008 and importing to a machine
running Hyper-V Server 2008 R2.
 Backing up a VM from WS2008/Hyper-V Server 2008 and restoring it on WS2008 R2 Hyper-V.

At the end of each operation above, the VM configurations that were created in WS2008/Hyper-V Server
will still be registered in Hyper-V Server 2008.

Unsupported features when upgrading to Hyper-V Server 2008 R2:

 Saved states
o If you keep a VM in saved state through the upgrade/export to a Hyper-V Server 2008 R2
host, the VM will be registered and will appear to be in the saved state. However, the VM will
not be able to restore from the saved state. You will need to discard the saved state and then
cold start the virtual machine.
 Online Snapshots
o You will be able to apply the snapshot and thus get the configuration and storage data
associated with that snapshot. However, you will not be able to restore from the associated
saved state. You will need to discard the saved state and restart the VM.