There seems to be no doubt about it. With the recent launch of Windows Server 2012 and the new capabilities in Hyper-V, momentum for Microsoft’s virtualization and private cloud platform (a key element of our Cloud OS strategy) is accelerating. Two recent surveys by IT trade publications point to clear evidence that customers are recognizing, deploying and already experiencing the value Hyper-V has to offer.
This week, Zeus Kerravala posted an article in NetworkWorld titled “VMware, the bell tolls for thee, and Microsoft is ringing it” about the findings of a survey of VMworld 2012 attendees, conducted by him and virtualization management vendor Xangati. Kerravala reminds readers to “remember the survey was answered by current VMware customers, so the data is likely to be skewed pro-VMware, which makes the data even more surprising.”
In response to the question "What are your plans for implementing Microsoft Hyper-V in your virtual infrastructure?” 19.6% of survey participants said they were currently implementing Hyper-V in production and test and dev environments. Another 20.9% are currently evaluating functionality within Windows Server 2012 for potential future deployment.
In response to the question "What are the executive-level drivers that are pushing a hybrid VMware/Microsoft hypervisor model?" The most common answer (34.7%) was VMware's licensing and pricing. Another 26.2% chose "Perception that Microsoft functionality is now ‘good enough.”
Responding to the question "Based upon what you know of Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 do you believe it can manage the performance of your infrastructure on par with vSphere?" 52% of the companies said they did believe the technology was equivalent.
This is pretty dramatic stuff, especially given who the survey participants are. The article concludes that “that it appears the VMware ‘free ride’ is rapidly coming to an end.”
Also, last week Informationweek posted an in-depth research report, Windows 8 Survival Guide: Server 2012 (available for free download with registration). It’s a great overview of Windows Server 2012 and spells out the findings of a survey of 859 business technology professionals, i.e. people like you. One of the most interesting survey results: “77% of our survey respondents have Microsoft Hyper-V in use now (34%) or are open to adopting the hypervisor.”
The survey also revealed that “65% are satisfied or extremely satisfied with Windows Server 2012.” (32% were neutral and just 2% were somewhat dissatisfied.)
These surveys are just more evidence that Hyper-V and our overall solution set are gaining ground and taking hold. Another example is recent research by Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) indicating that survey of respondents familiar with Windows Server 2012, 51% found Server virtualization to be an important product capability. (See my post and an infographic about that here.)
If you aren’t already doing so, I encourage you to evaluate and see the benefits for yourself.
Thanks for reading and your time.
---- Edwin