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Running Linux in Virtual Server – why?

Joe Wilcox had an interesting post in his Microsoft Monitor blog on our R2 development and the recent release of the Virtual Server SP1 Beta.

The virtual server post caught my eye as Joe could not think any realstic scenarios as to why anyone would want to run Linux in a Virtual Server environment. Since we are offering support of Linux as a guest OS with Virtual Server SP1, I thought I would throw out a couple (albiet biased) ideas off the top of my head.

1-  Server consolidation – One benefit of linux is its ability to run on legacy harware.  This can easily lead to linux proliferating on older hardware throughout an organization.  If an organization is looking to consolidate many legacy hardware boxes and save some money, Virtual Server can accomplish this at a very attractive price point….. 499.00

2.- Hardware Compatability – Windows Server 2003 offers a wide-array of driver support, which is sometime a challenge for Linux.  By running your Linux instances in Virtual Server, you are always ensured hardware compatability.

3 – Application development – What is a better environment to test your Linux app than in a Virtual Environment?  With undo drives, you can easily ‘reset’ a box when testing applications.  Addtionally, the extensive API set of Virtual Server makes provisioning systems for application development a breeze.

 

If anyone wants to read some real-world implementations of Virtual Server, check out these case studies:

Virtual Server 2005: Allstate Case Study
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/casestudy.asp?CaseStudyID=15891

Virtual Server 2005: AtlantiCare Case Study
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/casestudy.asp?CaseStudyID=15805

Virtual Server 2005: Barker’s Inc.
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/CaseStudy.asp?CaseStudyID=15983

Virtual Server 2005: Cigna Healthcare
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/CaseStudy.asp?CaseStudyID=16014

Virtual Server 2005: Denver Health
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/CaseStudy.asp?CaseStudyID=15978

Virtual Server 2005: Exelon Case Study
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/casestudy.asp?CaseStudyID=15884

Virtual Server 2005: Jack-in-the-box Case Study
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/casestudy.asp?CaseStudyID=15897

Virtual Server 2005: PING
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/casestudy.asp?CaseStudyID=16104

Virtual Server 2005: Southwestern Community College
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/casestudy.asp?CaseStudyID=15919

Virtual Server 2005: Tectura
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/casestudy.asp?CaseStudyID=15920

– Ward Ralston