SQL Server and Virtualization - can we help?
Just discovered whilst at TechEd that Microsoft policies for SQL Server products that are running in a hardware virtualization environment are not much known as yet to the majority of the public.
Therefore the PFE in me :-) wants to be sure that when you opt for virtualization you are in a safe position to receive support from myself, my PFE colleagues or from GTSCs when things go wrong.
So, here's the deal:
Microsoft provides technical support for SQL Server 2005 and for SQL Server 2008 that are running in the following hardware virtualization environments:
|
• |
Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V |
|
• |
Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 |
|
• |
Configurations that are certified through the Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP). |
KB article http://support.microsoft.com/?id=956893 has been updated as the single resource to obtain information on support policies for SQL Server running in a hardware virtualization environment.
If you are looking to take advantage of virtualization, here are some must read articles you should look at:
WHITEPAPER: Running SQL Server 2008 in a Hyper-V Environment - Best Practices and Performance Recommendations
http://sqlcat.com/whitepapers/archive/2008/10/03/running-sql-server-2008-in-a-hyper-v-environment-best-practices-and-performance-recommendations.aspx
By the way, this is the blog from the SQL Cat team. One of my favorite RSS feeds on SQL ever!
Licencing - Virtualization and Multi-Instancing
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/special-considerations.aspx#Virtualization
Migrating a virtual machine from Virtual PC to Hyper-V
http://blogs.technet.com/andrew/archive/2008/06/30/migrating-a-virtual-machine-from-virtual-pc-to-hyper-v.aspx
- Beatrice Nicolini -
