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Datacenter licensed - Core install or Hyper-V Server?
Datacenter licensed - Core install or Hyper-V Server?
- I have a question that I think I know the answer to, but I would like some confirmation. I have a pair of servers that I purchased a 2008 R2 Datacenter license (x2) for and I would like to virtualize several machines on. I know that I get unlimited virtual guest licenses, and I want to get the best possible performance, so which of the following scenarios is the ideal option?
1. 2008 Server with Hyper-V role, full GUI (worst performance?)
2. 2008 Server with Hyper-V role, core install (better performance?)
3. Hyper-V Server 2008 (best performance, but not sure if my datacenter license will still allow unlimited guests)
Is option 3 really even an option? Am I missing any other options that haven't thought of?
Answers
- Hello,
The key difference is that Windows Server 2008 R2 Core is different from Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 in that:
* Windows Server 2008 R2 Core can run other roles (such as domain controller, DNS, IIS)
* Windows Server 2008 R2 Core can only run failover clustering if it is enterprise or datacenter edition
* Windows Server 2008 R2 Core will likely require more patching, with the full install requiring the most.
The performance should be identical. I think you'd find Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 easier to configure in a failover cluster. I've certainly liked that the Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 product is (1) free, (2) can scale very high, and (3) can participate in a failover cluster.
A key thing to remember is that ALL the platforms can be managed through the full MMC GUIs from another server.
Here is a link to Hyper-V Server 2008 R2: http://www.microsoft.com/hyper-v-server/en/us/default.aspx
If you like the full GUI on the datacenter server (full install), then you should not see a performance downside to choosing that option.
I hope this helps.
Nathan Lasnoski- Marked As Answer byVincent HuMSFT, ModeratorTuesday, October 13, 2009 3:20 AM
- Proposed As Answer byNathan Lasnoski Tuesday, October 06, 2009 5:28 PM
Hi Mostly,
A. Yes. The use rights apply regardless of the virtualization product being used. However, any non-Microsoft software virtualization technologies are not supported by Microsoft. For more information about support policies, please refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) articles:
- Article 897613: Microsoft Virtual Server support policy
- Article 897614: Windows Server System software not supported within a Microsoft Virtual Server environment
- Article 897615: Support policy for Microsoft software running in non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software
Windows Server 2008: Frequently Asked Questions about Licensing
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/licensing-faq.aspx
Vincent Hu
- Marked As Answer byVincent HuMSFT, ModeratorTuesday, October 13, 2009 3:20 AM
- Proposed As Answer byNathan Lasnoski Tuesday, October 06, 2009 5:28 PM
All Replies
- Actually, I guess the core of my question is:
What is the difference between Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 and Windows 2008 Server R2 (Core install), other than licensing options? Do they functionally behave the same, and offer similar performance?
Thanks,
Jim - Hello,
The key difference is that Windows Server 2008 R2 Core is different from Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 in that:
* Windows Server 2008 R2 Core can run other roles (such as domain controller, DNS, IIS)
* Windows Server 2008 R2 Core can only run failover clustering if it is enterprise or datacenter edition
* Windows Server 2008 R2 Core will likely require more patching, with the full install requiring the most.
The performance should be identical. I think you'd find Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 easier to configure in a failover cluster. I've certainly liked that the Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 product is (1) free, (2) can scale very high, and (3) can participate in a failover cluster.
A key thing to remember is that ALL the platforms can be managed through the full MMC GUIs from another server.
Here is a link to Hyper-V Server 2008 R2: http://www.microsoft.com/hyper-v-server/en/us/default.aspx
If you like the full GUI on the datacenter server (full install), then you should not see a performance downside to choosing that option.
I hope this helps.
Nathan Lasnoski- Marked As Answer byVincent HuMSFT, ModeratorTuesday, October 13, 2009 3:20 AM
- Proposed As Answer byNathan Lasnoski Tuesday, October 06, 2009 5:28 PM
- Thanks, very helpful information. My concern then, is licensing.
I'm aware that the Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 gives me no licenses for guests. By purchasing a Datacenter license for the server, can I then excercise the right to install unlimited guests, even though I am still actually hosting the guests on Hyper-V 2008 Server R2? Or do I need to actually install the Datacenter (either Core or Full) to take advantage of this licensing benefit?
Thanks,
Jim Hi Mostly,
A. Yes. The use rights apply regardless of the virtualization product being used. However, any non-Microsoft software virtualization technologies are not supported by Microsoft. For more information about support policies, please refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) articles:
- Article 897613: Microsoft Virtual Server support policy
- Article 897614: Windows Server System software not supported within a Microsoft Virtual Server environment
- Article 897615: Support policy for Microsoft software running in non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software
Windows Server 2008: Frequently Asked Questions about Licensing
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/licensing-faq.aspx
Vincent Hu
- Marked As Answer byVincent HuMSFT, ModeratorTuesday, October 13, 2009 3:20 AM
- Proposed As Answer byNathan Lasnoski Tuesday, October 06, 2009 5:28 PM
- Hi Nathan and Vincent,
Furthermore to this question on the Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 page http://www.microsoft.com/hyper-v-server/en/us/default.aspx the comparison indicates that 'Dynamic Data Center' is not available and is in Enterprise and Data Center Editions. What is 'Dynamic Data Center' referring to and is it the same as PRO in SCVMM/SCOM 2008 R2?
Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 is the most attractive option as a hypervisor considering it is a 'bare metal' installation with a small footprint, least patching and no other server roles can be installed however it would be a major disadvantage if the platform cannot participate in performance and resource optimisation
Mark Hi,
The following post discussed the similar issue, you can refer to:
SCVMM R2 and Hyper-V version
Are PRO tips and Dynamic Data Center the same thing
Vincent Hu
