Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V R2 builds on the architecture and functions of Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V R2 by adding multiple new features that enhance product flexibility. The adoption of virtualization in the enterprise has increased flexibility in deployment and life cycle management of applications. IT professionals deploy and use virtualization to consolidate workloads and reduce server sprawl. Additionally, they deploy virtualization with clustering technologies to provide a robust IT infrastructure with high availability and quick disaster recovery. Even so, customers are looking for more flexibility.

Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V R2 provides greater flexibility with live migration. Live migration is integrated with Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V R2 and Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2. With Hyper-V R2 live migration, you can move running virtual machines (VMs) from one Hyper-V R2 physical host to another, without any disruption or perceived loss of service. IT professionals increasingly look to live migration to create a dynamic and flexible IT environment that responds to emerging business needs. Live migration provides the core technology required for dynamic load balancing, VM placement, high availability for virtualized workloads during physical computer maintenance, and reduced data center power consumption.