The operating system for large-scale virtualization and scale-up workloads

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter is optimized for large-scale virtualization on small to large server systems and for workloads that require the highest levels of scalability, reliability, and availability to support large, mission-critical applications. With unlimited virtualization use rights and a hypervisor-based virtualization technology, Windows Server 2008 Datacenter provides the flexibility and cost savings to easily run large numbers of virtualized Windows Server instances. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter supports the memory and processing needs of large-scale, business-critical workloads such as ERP, databases, server consolidations, and custom and line-of-business applications. To learn more about Windows Server 2008 Datacenter, visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver 2008/enterprise

In addition, Windows Server 2008 Datacenter licenses include unlimited virtualization rights,
meaning that you have rights to run an unlimited number of Windows Server instances on servers licensed with Windows Server 2008 Datacenter. This gives you the

Support for up to 64 processors and 2 terabytes of RAM. Support for a virtually unlimited number of virtual private network (VPN) connections. Authentication and authorization for a virtually unlimited number of network access service and network policy server connections. High Availability Succeeding in the global marketplace requires that remote employees and international customers and partners have around-the-clock access to information. A disruption in services can result in diminished productivity and lost opportunities. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter offers features that enhance the availability of your applications and services, including failover clustering, dynamic hardware partitioning, and the Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program. Failover Clustering Windows Server 2008 Datacenter provides robust, rapid failover clustering that is easy to manage and automatically takes action in the event of a failed node, maintaining service so that users experience minimal disruption. Failover clustering in Windows Server 2008 Datacenter supports up to 16 nodes and provides: Dynamic failover for both planned and unplanned server downtime. Scalability by adding nodes as your needs increase.

benefits of virtualization while helping to reduce license management headaches and costs, thus helping you: Logically consolidate servers and streamline management. Reduce the cost associated with power, cooling, and data center space. Increase the availability of your systems. (The quick migration feature enables you to easily move running virtual machines between their physical hosts.) Reduce server sprawl by using multiple virtual machines hosted on a physical server. Increased Scalability As organizations rapidly grow and change, IT infrastructures must remain flexible and scalable to help support, manage, and secure expanded functionality, an influx of additional users and locations, and increasingly robust applications. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter easily scales to adapt to the increased needs of data warehousing and transaction processing. This scalability also allows for improved resource planning. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter provides:

Large-Scale Virtualization Server virtualization technology lets you optimize system utilization and resources and realize significant infrastructure and management cost savings. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter provides an ideal platform for enterprise-scale virtualization. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter features Hyper-V, a flexible highperformance hypervisor-based virtualization technology.

Geographically dispersed clustering. High availability is also about avoiding downtime before it occurs. The risk of downtime due to driver issues has been decreased in Windows Server 2008 Datacenter, because nonessential functions have been removed by default. The result is a singularly productive operating system, optimized for running the most demanding data center workloads. Dynamic Hardware Partitioning
Windows Server 2008 Datacenter further enhances server availability with dynamic hardware partitioning. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter works with one or more isolated hardware partitions, each assigned its own processors, memory, and I/O host bridges that are independent from any other hardware partitions. You can hot replace or add additional processors and memory to these partitions without restarting the server. This increases the reliability, availability, and serviceability of your servers; for example, you can replace a processor that shows signs of failing or add spare processors to a partition as demand increases.

configurations, support for Windows Server 2008 Datacenter, and change-management processes for the most reliable and complete Windows Server solutions. The Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program provides the support you need to ensure maximum uptime for your applications. Advanced Identity and Access Management Today, employees are doing more business in more placesand on a wider variety of devices. At the same time, information loss, whether via outright theft or accidental leakage, is a growing concern for many enterprises. To keep people productive while securely managing the flow of data across your organization through multiple devices in a securityenhanced environment, Windows Server 2008 Datacenter delivers advanced identity and access management features. The new authentication architecture in Windows Server 2008 helps you guard against malicious software attacks and helps prevent data and confidential information from being distributed inappropriately. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter enables you to: Provide federated access to internal resources for external users through Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS). Improve security and more easily ensure regulatory and privacy

compliance with Advanced Certificate Management Services. Gather more audit detail for management and compliance with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). Take advantage of the Windows Server operating system optimized for large-scale databases and applications. Features Windows Server 2008 Datacenter offers the following features over and above the Windows Server 2008 Standard: Support for 2 terabytes of RAM (64 GB on 32-bit systems) Scalable up to 64 x64/64-bit processors or 32 x86/32-bit processors Unlimited virtual image use rights Hyper-Vbased unlimited virtualization Support for a 16-node failover cluster Hot Add/Replace Memory and Processors with supporting hardware Fault-tolerant memory synchronization Cross-file replication (DFS-R) Virtually unlimited Network Access Service connections (RRAS) Virtually unlimited Network Policy Server connections Total of 65,535 Terminal Server connections Advanced identity management

Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program For customers whose business demands the highest levels of availability, Microsoft offers the Windows Server 2008 High Availability Program. Microsoft developed this optional program to provide customers with missioncritical server requirements with the highest quality server hardware
Component Processor

System Requirement 1GHz (x86 32-bit) or 1.4GHz (x86 64-bit [x64]) minimum required, 2GHz or faster recommended 512 MB of RAM minimum required, 2 GB or more of RAM recommended Maximum supported RAM is 64 GB on 32-bit edition Maximum supported RAM is 2 terabytes on 64-bit edition 10 GB minimum required, 40 GB or more recommended Maximum of 32 processors or cores supported for 32-bit edition

Memory

Disk space Other

This data sheet is for informational purposes MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, THIS SUMMARY. only. Maximum of 64 processors or cores supported forIN 64-bit edition Microsoft, Active Directory, Hyper-V, Windows, Server, and the Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States Windows Hyper-V supports up to logo 16 processors or cores and/or other countries.