January 24th, 2024
Many organizations are waking up to the reality that Microsoft’s Mainstream Support for free Hyper-V Server ended this month. The product allows organizations to connect virtual machines (VMs) to networks, virtualize workloads, and achieve more flexibility than when running on physical hardware. Hyper-V Server is also a test or development hypervisor for some organizations and enables licensing virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).
Before its end of service, Hyper-V Server was an attractive option to popular VMWare products cost-wise — Hyper-V Server was free. But now, Hyper-V users must pay for extended support through January 9, 2029. Aside from a free solution evolving into an OPEX, Hyper-V Server users must weigh other factors into the decision of what comes next.
Users may consider migrating to Azure Stack HCI, priced per physical core or included with Azure Hybrid Benefit. However, using Azure Stack HCI will require migrating to the platform and a learning curve for users that many aren’t ready to navigate immediately. Hyper-V Server definitely had a niche user base, including education and government organizations. So, quickly migrating to a new platform may not be a possibility. These organizations typically have small IT staffs and limited budgets, so continuing to use Hyper-V for the time being is probably the most practical option.
But losing data isn’t.
Schools, universities, government agencies, and other Hyper-V Server users can’t decide to continue to use the tool without extended service, which could make it vulnerable to cyberattacks. Furthermore, they can’t risk losing data due to natural disasters, cyberattacks, or catastrophic human errors.
“Hyper-V Backup at Its Best”
Fortunately, Hyper-V Server users don’t have to face the future alone. Veeam provides the leading Hyper-V backup and replication solution, and as a Veeam Platinum Partner, Virtual Systems can provide it and manage it for you. Veeam Hyper-V backup allows you to restore entire virtual machines or to recover single files or application items with search-and-restore functionality. Furthermore, Veeam’s solution is fast, enabling you to meet short recovery time and recovery point objectives.
Veeam’s intelligent design also decreases the demand on your virtual machines read 1/O operations by using backup copies as the replication source. It also has built-in WAN acceleration and tracks and protects what’s changed since the last backup to enhance speed.
A Partner That Will Help You Plan Ahead
While partnering with Virtual Systems to manage Veeam Hyper-V backup and replication will be the best option for many businesses, it’s also smart to look at your entire IT ecosystem and plan ahead. Technological advancements are happening at a faster and faster rate, so simply addressing Hyper-V Server end of service and burying your head in the sand isn’t in your organization’s best interest.
Virtual Systems can work with you to develop an IT roadmap that will ensure you have the advantages of virtualization, securely, with minimal disruption, and most cost-effectively. Our team also stays informed of changes in the industry, so you won’t face surprises. Although Microsoft announced Hyper-V Server’s end of service a few years ago, there wasn’t much coverage of the change, and your organization may have been caught off guard. But it didn’t rattle us. We know Veeam’s solution will protect your data now and give you time to transition to another solution when you’re ready.
Contact us to learn about the practical, cost-effective way to deal with Hyper-V Server’s end of service, what lies ahead, and how Virtual Systems can help.
