Microsoft offers Windows 8 Server teaser
The company is reported to have boasted Windows 8 Server will pack more than 100 new features.
Speaking at its Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft seems to have zeroed in on just one: the new Hyper-V it's positioning as an enabler of cloud computing when used to virtualise server operating systems and applications in your data centre.
According to Ars Technica, since its introduction in Windows Server 2008, Hyper-V has gained considerable traction, especially among small and mid-size businesses.
Last year, a majority of Windows Server licences were sold for use on virtual servers, and this year or next, the installed base of virtual servers should pass that of physical ones.
To expand its reach, Microsoft is extending Hyper-V to improve scalability and add new features. To respond to customer demands for greater scaling, the next version will include support for more than 16 virtual processors per machine.
ZDNet reports that the coming Hyper-V Replica feature provides asynchronous virtual machine replication.
All users will need is Hyper-V and a network connection. Users will be able to schedule replication to happen immediately or later. The new feature will allow users to do things such as replicate their mission-critical database to an offsite data vendor.
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