Upcoming Windows Server 2022 will not be shipped with Hyper-V server – Microsoft’s free tool to help manage virtual machine fleets and build hybrid clouds.
According to the principal product manager on Microsoft’s Windows server development team, Elden Christensen, no claim was made about the Hyper-V server’s continuity. He went on to add that Microsoft plans on using Azure Stack HCI moving forward. This is a purpose-built solution for running any virtual machine.
For the future – what does this mean?
Hyper-V Server is an ‘enterprise-class virtualization for your hybrid cloud and datacenter.’ It is Microsoft’s very own virtual machine management platform.
Offered as a free product, Microsoft hoped to compete with VMware’s vSphere product – a gamble that didn’t come through. This is thanks in part to the fact that VMware owns 75% of the server visualization market. Despite the competition repeatedly trying to malign them for being ‘too expensive.’
Shifting to an Azure Stack means that Microsoft is pushing its customers to use its products more. Azure Stack uses more of Azure’s services on-prem and also gives the Azure experience.
Another key takeaway from this is that Microsoft is pushing for more software-defined data centers that are much easier to build than actual physical serves.
Hyper-V will continue to have support until 2029, which means there is no immediate need to panic. They have time to weigh their options and see what the best fit is for their company. Alternatives like VMware, KVM, Xen, and XCP-NG are also there for people to choose from. Microsoft remains clear on its stance; if you use its services, it would want you to use the Azure Stack HCI.
Before you begin, ensure that the Azure Stack HCI hardware has similar capacity and configurations to the source hardware.