Which Virtualization Solution is Right for You?

All the cool kids are doing it, but do you know which method of virtualization is the right one for you? Fortunately, there are people like Dan Woodman who take the time to explore Microsoft's virtualization offerings so you can decide the best way to take advantage of virtualization for your self or your business.

Specifically, Dan is taking a look at Virtual PC, Virtual Server, and Hyper-V in a series on his blog. I recommend you read all of the relevant posts, especially if you're new to the concept of virtualization, but here are the basics on each product:

• Virtual PC: This solution works well for training, product demonstrations, and even end-users who need access to different operating systems (such as developers or those who need to run XP, for instance, to access a legacy Line of Business application).  It is extremely easy to use.
  
• Virtual Server: It is intended to virtualize 32-bit machines, and does so quite well.  If you do not yet have Server 2008, Virtual Server is a great way to get started with virtualization in your organization. This tool is intended as a solution for virtualizing in your data center and accordingly, has enterprise-class features.
  
• Hyper-V: When should you choose Hyper-V over Virtual Server?  Anytime you can.  Hyper-V is the latest and greatest of the virtual machine technology released by Microsoft.  It far exceeds Virtual Server in ease of use, feature set, and performance.

Dan does a good job of reviewing the cases in which Hyper-V might not be right (remember: it's 64-bit only!), in which case Virtual Server can probably handle your needs.