A HyperV Virtual Machine (
click here for image) is
like any other PC running Windows effectively. It is actually a
virtual operating system running within a "hardware" operating system yet
completely independent.
With HyperV you typically have a
single login which allows you to manage your OpenSim servers and more. Since you have
access to the full server you can also
install other virtual worlds and applications in separate HyperV machines. In the image below we are logged into our main "hardware" server but are able to see our "sub-servers" in a list to manage.
In the case below we have
some sims connected to our ReactionGrid world and we have a
separate full grid running on the same machine but
100% isolated in its own virtual machine. A problem on one never effects the other.
In the image below we see some settings for starting, pausing, stopping and taking "snapshot" images of your HyperV machines. Virtual Machines can actually be paused in a current state and then restarted at any point.
They can also be copied for use on other Virtual Machines behind LANs or on more powerful or localized servers depending on your needs.
In short HyperV provides:
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Isolation between worlds and applications so a crash on one does not crash the other.
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Easy maintenance with single or lowered number of logins.
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Flexibility to deploy a grid design to any machine anywhere in the world running HyperV including LAN/Firewalls.
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The ability to have many varied types of virtual worlds and applications running together.