Create Secure Network Infrastructure with Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1

Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 is freeware virtualization software which is developed by Microsoft. The application is used in production environments to reduce hardware costs. This software is considered more efficient because it eliminates the requirement of any user console and runs on web-based interface. Small to medium scale organizations which cannot u se Hyper-V in their networks are still using Virtual Server to create a sophisticated and decent virtual infrastructure. However in order to design an efficient virtual network topology users needed to have in-depth knowledge of virtualization and the concept the technology follows. Even Virtual Server uses .VHD files to store virtual machines. This allows administrators to backup and/or restore the entire virtual infrastructure within few minutes/hours (as per the sizes of files).

Pros

• Since the application does not require any additional console to manage virtual machines users may experience increased system performance even when virtual machines are running in the background.
• Since Internet web browser is used to manage virtual machines users can connect to them using secure channel (https) hence adding an additional layer of security to the virtual infrastructure.

Cons

• Because Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 uses web based interface for the management of virtual machines Internet Information Services (IIS) are required to be installed on the computer.

Download Link: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/downloads.aspx