As we all know, Microsoft Hyper-V is a virtualization solution which is mainly considered for windows cloud computing infrastructure.  As of now, Microsoft has two products for cloud solution: Windows Azure and Hyper-V. However, Microsoft realized that they needed to offer a single package solution for cloud infrastructure, particularly for dedicated private cloud as similar to VMware does. Therefore, “Hyper-V Cloud Fast Track” was introduced to fill the gap in the cloud line.

Let’s see the details of Hyper-V Cloud:

• Shared Services.
• Scalability and Elasticity of Infrastructure.
• High Availability.
• Automation Work Flow.
• Portal and Service Catalog.
• Integration of security and identity

However, before we move ahead we need to understand, what is private cloud computing?

Private cloud transforms the data center, servers in a flexible infrastructure for a service. The infrastructure can then expose a catalog of application services to the business. If the private cloud is based on virtualization technology, then the approach is different in the sense that the goal is to automate the availability and scalability. This requires an arrangement and provisioning of virtual machines, with or without connection to a public cloud.

Back to the main topic. Hyper-V Cloud is not a new product. It is in the market since a long time, but now it comes up with a new set of tools, such as architecture concepts, guidelines, best practices to transform its existing infrastructure into infrastructure as a services for private cloud, etc… For this, it relies on Windows Server 2008 R2, Hyper-V, and System Center.

Although, hyper-v cloud is not a one pack solution. Means that, if a company wants to buy the tools involved in a hyper-v cloud, then there is no single package for it. Hence this is not a software suite like  a vmware vsphere.

So the emphasis is on Hyper-V Fast Track, but it is intended for manufacturers. So they can offer pre-configured hardware and software solutions based on reference architecture, guides of consolidation, and validation configuration. Hence, each manufacturer get the ability to include his own tools for administration, management system to increase the performance.

This solution is actually intended to ease the deployment of private cloud or conversion of an existing infrastructure. Today, many manufacturers have announced or are already offering pre-configured hyper-v cloud: Dell, HP, IBM are just some of the examples. These pre-configured solutions are certified by Microsoft. The main goal of this solution is to simplify the architecture and implementation of a private cloud.

In addition, HP is offering Fast Track in full deployment phase to the customers. HP is actively working around with Fast Track as a platform in association with Microsoft and HP’s Cloud Foundation for Hyper-V is a reference architecture which is based on Fast Track.

As we all know Hyper- V is a virtualization technology for Windows platform and this new 3.0 version is specially developed for the Windows 8 client and Windows Server 8. Microsoft is going to offer this version as a stand alone product.

The key features of this operating system are:

• It focuses more on virtualization with the update to hyper-v 3.0
• High availability, simple management of multiple server platforms
• Main vision is to focus on the cloud computing
• More flexibility and simplicity to manage data and applications

However, hyper-v 3.0 is based an older version of hyper-v that creates a virtualization environment for multiple partitioning to run. The layer of hypervisor, or the parent partition actually enables the management of child partitions. In addition, hyper-V uses the term partition to refer to a virtualization layer that provides an separate environment in which guest OS and application can run.

It also distinguishes itself from previous physical process of the hypervisor. Additionally, it has an extensible virtual switch which gives advanced networking features such as extensions to analyze and monitor the traffic.
One of the additions in Hyper-V 3.0 is a Live Migration function, which enables the migration of a VM directly from one server to another (be it in the same cluster or in the different cluster ). This greatly simplifies the management of virtual machines especially for SME’s.

Configuration and server management in windows server 8

Windows server 8 can reduce the time of service by improving the management of large volumes and reducing the risk of data corruption. Actually, the native function of pooling network interface reduces the problems while using tools and allows the user to improve the performance and availability of network connections.

Even though, windows server 8 offers the possibility to switch from one mode to another without reinstalling it. Furthermore, it only installs essential services by default, you can install the different roles later. The specific advantage of this feature is, it reduces the consumption of disk space or resources such as CPU or RAM. The hyper-v 3.0 feature in Windows Server 8 is specially built to offer more scalability and it can support more than 32 nodes and 4,000 virtual machines.

At the conference Microsoft unveiled Windows Server 8. This is the first server version which involved in between developers of Windows and Windows Azure team. You’ll find many concepts and elements of Azure in Windows Server 8.

The goals of Windows Server 8 is to create, deploy, administer private cloud, and cloud to the hybrid on Azure platform.

Microsoft Ad said:

• Geo replication between data centers would be more easy with these new features included in platform.
• Translator API is now available in marketplace to improve the translation of applications.
• Windows SDK 1.5: This new API will assist to improve performance of monitoring, and remote desktop encryption.
• Windows Azure Bus: The latest version with many improved features.
• Toolkit for Windows Azure & Windows 8: Currently available for Windows Phone, IOS, Android will be available for Windows 8. ideal for applications metropolitan cities.
• Demonstration Team Foundation (TFS) on Azure.
• As of now in 25 countries Azure is available

Windows Server  8 incorporates Hyper-V 3.0, which will provide all the elements to create the private cloud. Virtualization is highlighted and the dynamic approach to its infrastructure. This v3 includes a new virtual disk format, the function VHDX Storage Spaces to create virtual storage volume on any physical storage anywhere. Above all, the virtual storage can be done over several physical volumes.

In addition, Windows server provides eight multi-tenant infrastructure for cloud services with the  significant enhancements to help to reduce the Cost of high availability and service management. The management, identity and development tools with Windows Azure, & Windows Server 8 empowers developers and IT professionals to deliver their choice of services across public and private windows cloud hosting environments, or a combination of Both.

The final idea is to ensure redundancy of services, connectivity regardless of the terminal. The new approach into the Microsoft is appreciable. A comprehensive and integrated all the systems and Microsoft’s products ensures that everything is in its place and everything makes sense. Windows, Windows Live , Windows Azure, Windows Server, Windows Phone and interconnected world, simplifying the use of Microsoft’s products for everyone. Microsoft’s approach towards the market is pretty straightforward. They are focusing on the need of consumers and their new spending habits of information increasingly dense, fast and collaborative.

The cloud is in the heart of Windows 8. The RTM will be dedicated to the integration of high cloud to enhance the  user’s experience in Windows 8. “Windows Live ID”, which takes place more than important in this new version. To prove the authentication is already happening through it from the home. All your data, documents, photos, and other contacts that you do not want to see literally stored on your hardware will be deported on the Cloud through the SkyDrive service to your settings through the menu “Sync PC Settings” control panel to synchronize your settings (personalization, themes, language, history or bookmarks favorites in IE, etc …)