Windows Server 8 Solution Overview

Beyond Virtualization
Organizations of all sizes have embraced server virtualization technology to help them achieve cost savings and operational efficiencies. As the technology continually evolves, many now see the potential for going beyond basic virtualization features and benefitssuch as consolidating server hardwareto create complete foundations for private clouds. Windows Server 8 helps to deliver the most dynamic, available, cost-effective server platform for cloud optimized IT. With its Hyper-V virtualization role, Windows Server 8 provides a complete virtualization platform, increased scalability and performance, and connectivity to cloud services.

A complete virtualization platform

Using Windows Server 8 Hyper-V technology, organizations can create a complete virtualization platform that delivers a fully isolated, multitenant environment with tools that help ensure service level agreements (SLAs), enable chargeback and custom billing solutions through carefully monitored system usage, and support self-service delivery. Hyper-V helps IT administrators create dynamic data centers and cloud infrastructures that are characterized by more flexible workloads, networks, and storage. This includes the flexibility to place any application workload on any physical machine, and to move or assign the required resourcessuch as CPU, memory, and storageaccording to the resource needs and requirements of the workload. New and enhanced features in Windows Server 8 that support a complete virtualization platform include: Multitenant security and isolation using the Hyper-V Extensible Switch. Greater flexibility in configuring, provisioning, and managing virtual environments. Moving virtual machines and virtual machine storage while a virtual machine is runningwithout any downtime. Faster, simultaneous live migrations of virtual machines. Quality of Service (QoS) bandwidth management to improve overall performance in virtualized environments. Resource Metering to support more detailed and accurate usage billing of customers (for hosting providers) and internal users (inside large organizations). Windows Server 8 makes management tasks easier with policy-based resources that let IT departments respond faster to shifting business needs. Routine virtualization tasks can be automated, while new Hyper-V features provide additional protection against unplanned downtime so that end users can work without system interruptions.

Increased scalability and performance

The growing importance of virtualization in enterprises and for hosting providers requires increased system responsiveness to meet SLAs and customer expectations. Windows Server 8 provides significant improvements in scalability and performance for virtualized platforms that help IT organizations use a fixed amount of resources to run more workloads faster with Hyper-V and to offload specific processes to hardware. The result is a high-density, highly scalable environment that can be adapted to perform at optimum levels based on customers requirements.

Windows Server 8 Solution Overview Beyond Virtualization

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Windows Server 8 includes a number of features that help support faster, even more reliable virtualized environments, including: Hyper-V support for high-performance hardware, including up to 32 virtual processors and 1 TB of memory per virtual machine. Increased virtual machine storage options with support for Fibre Channel storage area networks (SANs). Hardware offload, which allows CPU processing power to be concentrated on applications instead of being diluted by networking and storage tasks. Dynamic memory improvements that lead to greater efficiencies in environments with idle or low-load virtual machines. New Hyper-V support for virtual hard disk formats, remote file storage options, and next-generation hard disks with larger disk sectors. By enhancing the speed, scalability, and reliability of virtualized environments, Windows Server 8 helps organizations implement new and innovative solutions that use cloud-based computing to serve the needs of business customers.

Connectivity to cloud services

Windows Server 8 provides enhanced security and reliability for connecting to cloud services by using a common identity and management framework for cross-premises connectivity, which helps in federating identities and providing enhanced protection for data. Features supporting connectivity to cloud services include: Identity Federation with Active Directory Federation Services, which extends Active Directory identities so users can access cloud resources. It also supports single sign-on functionality to simplify the sign-on process for users. Cross-premises connectivity, which is part of the Windows Server 8 remote-access capabilities. It delivers enhanced security for connecting on-premises servers with the cloud. By supporting connectivity to cloud services, Windows Server 8 expands the possibilities for customers to use and connect on-premises and cloud-based applications and services to advance their organizations strategies.

Conclusion
Windows Server 8 can help organizations go beyond basic virtualization technology and functions to create a complete platform for building private clouds and providing flexible and efficient cloud services to customers. It supports the deployment of private clouds in a flexible IT environment that adapts dynamically to changing business needs. New and enhanced features provide high performance and scalability to enterprises, helping them meet the demands of business users, support guaranteed SLAs, and enable chargebacks in a truly multitenant infrastructure. Hosting providers benefit from Windows Server 8 with the ability to isolate tenants, create billing solutions, and provide new revenue-generating services, as customersenterprise, midmarket, and small business aliketransition from on-premises IT environments to reap the benefits of cloud-based computing.

Learn more
Windows Server 8 offers the best platform to prepare for and implement cloud enabled IT. To learn more, visit www.microsoft.com/windowsserver8.

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The information contained in this document relates to a pre-release product which may be substantially modified before it is commercially released. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied with respect to the information presented here.