MS Windows Home Server

Microsoft has released Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 for free download.

Ever thought about running Virtual Machines? Maybe one copy of WHS as your NAS and a completely separate instance of WHS as your webserver? What about running WHS and Apache and Ubuntu all simultaneously on the same box? Or maybe like me, you just like to play with stuff like this.

The 1st of October Microsoft released a free “bare metal” version (no need to have Server 2008) of their Hypervision virtualization solution. Previously this was only available as a component of Server 2008.

Just like Windows XP or Vista can run Internet Explorer and Firefox and Opera all at the same time and keep everything straight, Hyper-V Server can run WHS, Vista, Apache and Ubuntu all at the same time and keep everything straight. Like this –



Here, look at these, maybe they do a better job of explaining it:
http://www.betanews.com/article/HyperV_Server_now_available_as_a_free_download/1222901696
http://www.microsoft.com/servers/hyper-v-server/default.mspx

Here is Microsoft’s site (which does of poor job of explaining, too much techo-babel)
http://www.microsoft.com/servers/hyper-v-server/default.mspx
Quick Facts:

• Four processors, up to Quad (so 16 cores)
• 32 GB RAM
• 128 “Guests” Operating systems
• Command Line only (However there is a Vista SP1 Management plugin)
• Thus the need for a Vista Machine on your network
• 64 bit Processor with either Intel-VT or AMD-V technology enabled
• “Live Migration” – Move WHS (or any OS) from old Hyper-V hardware to new Hyper-V hardware “Live” without reinstall, repair or upgrade.

OK, here is an update:

This post does not seem to be drawing much attention. That is either because people do not understand what is going on or because not many folks enjoy exploring new and different technologies. Since this is a forum that mainly focuses on WHS, a new and different technology, I assume the lack of interest is thus because of the former reason. Iĺl try to give this more description.

I have downloaded and installed the Free Hyper-V Server 2008 as follows:

The machine (just like most of your WHS machines)

• Motherboard – ASUS P5B
• Processor – Q6600 Core 2 Quad
• Memory – 8 GB Crucial DDR2
  (don let the cost of memory scare you off, great deal @ Frys &19.99 for 4 GB - free shipping)

The software

• Hyper-V Server 2008 (Free Download)
• WHS 120 Day Trial (Free, mailed from Microsoft)
• Vista x64 30 Day Trial (just to show you another OS)
• Ubuntu 8.04 Server (Free Download, their full production Server OS 8.04)

So what to you get?

• Well I am writing this to you on a Unix version of Firefox.
• It is running on Ubuntu Server 8.04
• That is a virtual machine running under the Hyper-V Server 2008
• I am actually sitting at a Vista x64 desktop PC that is running the Hyper-V Manager, the GUI into the Hyper-V server
  (Microsoft separates the GUI from the OS and puts it on a Vista SP1 machine)

Maybe the old, "A picture is worth a thousand words" will help. This is a screenshot of Network Places (from the client Vista OS) on top of a Hyper-V Manager Screen (Showing Ubuntu Server) which is shown on the client Desktop. The Screenshot is of the Management Client - The Vista SP1 machine used to manage the Hyper-V Server. The highlighted Operating Systems are all running within the HomeHyper computer sharing its processors, memory and other resources:

This is awesome! Time to make this a weekend warrior project.

I'll post some screen shots of my results when I get the chance!


Thanks!