Microsoft to release Hyper-V virtualization beta

Microsoft is set to deliver a downloadable beta release of Hyper-V, its virtualization product, on December 13, according to sources close to the company.

Hyper-V is Microsoft's hypervisor that allows customers to virtualize multiple operating systems on a single server.

Microsoft's plan of record is to include a beta version of Hyper-V (formerly code-named "Viridian") in the final version of Windows Server 2008 that is due to ship in the first quarter of 2008. Six months after that, Microsoft is set to make the final version of Hyper-V available and will update any early Windows Server 2008 users with the final code at that time. Microsoft also will make Hyper-V available as a standalone server virtualization product, known as Microsoft Hyper-V server.

Microsoft made available in September a private Release Candidate build and in December, a public test build of Windows Server 2008. Those releases included a Community Technology Preview (CTP) build of Hyper-V, not an actual beta.

I asked Microsoft for more details on what's coming in the Hyper-V beta and when, exactly, they plan to release it. No word back so far.

This just in from the Softies, via a corporate spokesperson:

"Today Microsoft announced the beta release of the Hyper-V (formerly codenamed “Viridian”) to customers and partners for testing and evaluation. Microsoft is pleased to release the beta ahead of schedule and feel the release marks a significant milestone for Microsoft in the virtualization space. "

Microsoft is making the new beta of Hyper-V available as part of an updated public test version of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise. The updated bits will be available later today from Microsoft's Windows Server 2008 site.

Any Windows Server 2008 testers out there been kicking the tires of the Hyper-V technology yet? What's your opinion of it?