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Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/19/microsoft_hyperv_release_candidate/

Microsoft's Hyper-V release threat level reaches RC status

The virtualisation journey continues

By Kelly Fiveash

Posted in Virtualization, 19th March 2008 17:20 GMT

SaaS data loss: The problem you didn’t know you had

Microsoft today spat out a release candidate build of its delayed virtualisation software Hyper-V.

The firm said it has finally reached the inbetweeny post-beta, pre-final release stage for its hypervisor, originally code-named Viridian. Microsoft didn’t say whether the release candidate will be the last code tweak, but did confirm that it's on schedule to pump out a full final version of Hyper-V by August.

However, given Redmond’s track record, it’s fair to assume that a second release candidate will turn up in the coming weeks. The hint is in the statement [1] which described today’s RC as containing “updated, near-final code”.

Microsoft “launched” Hyper-V last month at its Heroes Happen Here event [2], even though all it could offer customers was an incomplete, beta version of the software.

And, in a direct challenge to virtualisation market leader VMWare, Microsoft also said today it has tied up pre-install agreements with HP, Dell, IBM and Fujitsu Siemens Computers, among others, all of whom plan to load Hyper-V on their servers.

Last month, while Microsoft was faffing about with champagne corks and indoor, remote controlled helicopters, VMWare decided to crash the party [3] somewhat by announcing that it had inked deals with a number of big name computer vendors to pre-install its software onto their machines.

Microsoft said that today’s RC, available for download from its website, can be used on a number of its operating systems including Windows Vista SP1 – which finally, kind of [4] arrived yesterday, and Windows XP SP3, still missing in action [5].

We asked the company when customers who are unwilling to upgrade to its unloved Vista OS can expect to see the final service pack for XP arrive. A Microsoft spokeswoman told El Reg in a statement:

“We are targeting 1H 2008 for the release of XP SP3 RTM, though our timing will always be based on customer feedback as a first priority.” ®