Hyper-V acts as the hypervisor for our virtualization platform. We are using it on a three-tier infrastructure and it manages our VMs that store our files and applications.
Systems Engineer at a educational organization with 11-50 employees
A good end-to-end solution that is easy to set up, but it's not completely stable
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is that it's an end-to-end solution."
- "It's not completely stable because your stack becomes bloated."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is that it's an end-to-end solution.
What needs improvement?
It's not completely stable because your stack becomes bloated.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Hyper-V since 2008.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability-wise, it is okay but not great. I'd say that it works but it's not perfect.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Hyper-V is limited when it comes to scalability. If you have a data center license then you can scale up or down, or use the main virtual machines on the server. However, if you have a normal, or standard license, you can only run two virtual machine instances.
We have approximately 1,000 users.
How are customer service and support?
I have not had much experience with technical support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used vSphere but we switched because VMware costs a lot and we have a small environment.
How was the initial setup?
The installation and initial setup are very easy. It takes about five minutes to deploy.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented it ourselves. We have three people in our team for deployment and maintenance.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Our licensing fees are paid for as a package with the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. We have to pay for our data center licenses.
This is a fairly expensive product because it balances the needs of security.
What other advice do I have?
In summary, this product is not perfect but it works. At this point, we have not yet decided how long we will continue using it. This is something that we'll decide, moving forward.
I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Systems Administrator at Privia Health
A good product for hosting corporate infrastructure servers
Pros and Cons
- "It is a very stable product. We have not had any issues with Hyper-V crashing itself."
- "The only issues we have had recently are with Windows updates that are built into the Windows server with Hyper-V."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution to host our corporate infrastructure servers.
What needs improvement?
The only issues we have had recently are with Windows updates that are built into the Windows server with Hyper-V.
In the future, I would like to see a simplification of licensing of this product. In addition, I think it would be beneficial to have more monitoring.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is very stable. We have not had issues with it crashing itself.
How is customer service and technical support?
I do not have experience with the technical support. I usually research the answers myself and fix any pending issues.
How was the initial setup?
It was very straightforward for us. We did it in-house and it was very easy.
What was our ROI?
We have definitely have seen a return on our investment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I wish the licensing was simpler and allowed for a greater number of VMs with the Microsoft standard licensing. Overall I think it's fair. The pricing is definitely fair.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Hyper-V
January 2025
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System Administrator at Confidential
A good visualization tool with a range of license options, but lacking in cloning functionality
Pros and Cons
- "We appreciate how easy this solution is to implement on standalone severs."
- "We would like to have a cloning function added to this product."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution to provide visualization for our two main server clusters; one that hosts most of our production virtual machines, and another that hosts Active Directory and the Exchange platforms.
What is most valuable?
We appreciate how easy this solution is to implement on standalone severs.
Some of the license options available with this product allow for upgrades to be carried out without having to incur extra charges.
What needs improvement?
We would like to have a cloning function added to this product.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using this solution for six years, and are using the 2012 R2 release version.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have found this solution to be quite stable in our experience.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This solution is scalable if the new server, or new node, is prepared identically to the existing cluster that it will be added to. The product also requires the same user accounts and service accounts that exist currently to be created, and for some shared storage to be in use.
How are customer service and support?
The support for this solution is mostly good; they are reactive and always solve small issues. However, we have had some problems with more complicated issues taking a long time to be fixed.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of this solution on a standalone server is quite straightforward. However, if you want to create a cluster of hosts, then you have to configure a large number of requirements and liaise with a lot of different systems teams, which makes it challenging.
What about the implementation team?
This solution was implemented using a team provided by our third-party reseller.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We rent our licenses for this solution, which means that we also have access to premium-level support. The rental cost is payable annually and includes a number of products that work with this solution. It also allows us to run unlimited virtual machines without needing a license for each one.
What other advice do I have?
We would recommend that any organization considering this solution looks at the range of software they are currently running, to ensure complete compatibility and allow for easy migration to this product.
I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Chief, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute at a government with 201-500 employees
It is a good replica service
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of Hyper-V is the replica service."
- "Hyper-V requires improvement with manageability."
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Hyper-V is the replica service.
What needs improvement?
Hyper-V requires improvement with manageability.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Hyper-V for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We are running Hyper-V on-premise, so the scalability is limited.
How are customer service and support?
We rely on Microsoft inputs for Hyper-V, at times it is a bit difficult to get the information that we want.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of the solution is straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
We deployed Hyper-V in-house. We have two people dedicated to the maintenance of the solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Hyper-V is part of Windows Server, so there are no extra costs for the product.
What other advice do I have?
Anyone considering implementing Hyper-V into their organization should do so in a way that allows for upgrades at a later stage.
Overall, I would rate Hyper-V an eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Solutions Specialist at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Powerful, easy to use, but more integration needed
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is very powerful, easy to use, user-friendly, and integrates well with Windows. If you are looking for a hundred percent Microsoft environment it would be a good idea to go with Hyper-V. They work wonderfully together."
- "In an upcoming release, they can improve by having better cloud integration. We are all moving towards the clouds and the integration is only through the Azure Stack, there should be tools built in to move the VMs natively to the cloud and infrastructure. Additionally, they could provide some form of multi-cloud integration."
What is our primary use case?
I have been making solutions around the Hyper-V bundles for my clients. For example, hyper-converged infrastructure, such as in vSAN and Vsphere for company data centers.
What is most valuable?
The solution is very powerful, easy to use, user-friendly, and integrates well with Windows. If you are looking for a hundred percent Microsoft environment it would be a good idea to go with Hyper-V. They work wonderfully together.
There are a lot more features and is easier to use compared to previous releases. They were using PowerCLI for the management but now it is all GUI-based which has made it a lot easier to use.
What needs improvement?
Hyper-V is not a type one hypervisor, such as vSphere. When it comes to Hyper-V, it is a role in Windows Server. Hyper-V could have been much leaner and much more powerful, but it becomes only the Hyper-V part of it. There should be some distribution or limit to Hyper-V, such as in vSphere.
The missing factor or parameter, in Hyper-V and all of the functionality, is a role it plays inside the Windows operating system. You have to enable those roles. That is something not appreciated in a data center because Windows is a general-purpose operating system, not for the sole purpose of doing these types of operations. They could skim down the version of the operating system and have it customized for virtualization, not as a general-purpose operating system.
In an upcoming release, they can improve by having better cloud integration. We are all moving towards the clouds and the integration is only through the Azure Stack, there should be tools built in to move the VMs natively to the cloud and infrastructure. Additionally, they could provide some form of multi-cloud integration.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been involved with Hyper-V for approximately two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable in my experience.
How are customer service and technical support?
The technical support is good because there are a lot of administrators out there in the market who are well-versed in Microsoft technologies.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is straightforward. The installation time can vary depending on if you have preloaded configurations. If you were to do it from scratch then it would take approximately 20 minutes.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Hyper-V is cost-effective and is a one-time purchase. Microsoft has multiple licensing options available, such as a subscription model and an outside purchase model that customers can choose as per their requirements.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I have evaluated VMware vSphere.
What other advice do I have?
Hyper-V is very popular in the market for data centers and most of my clients are using Microsoft in some form or another but it might not be their core ERP.
I would recommend this solution to others.
I rate Hyper-V a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Head of Department for IT Services at a government with 201-500 employees
Eases our Virtual Management
Pros and Cons
- "This solution is much easier to manage than a bare metal machine. It is so easy to manage something through the virtual machine."
- "The live migration feature needs improvement."
What is most valuable?
This solution is much easier to manage than a bare metal machine. It is so easy to manage something through the virtual machine.
What needs improvement?
The live migration feature needs improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is acceptable for us. We do not have problems with it.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable. We are not such a big company, but it suits our needs. We have less than 500 employees using this solution. We have three system administrators maintaining the solution.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used VMware and then moved to Hyper-V. We did so primarily because we already had an agreement with Microsoft.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was easy. It took us about a year to deploy because we had to convert 90% of the bare metal machines to Hyper-V.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We have an agreement with Microsoft so this came with the solution. The pricing is okay for us.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Lead Architect at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Not equal or superior to VMware’s ESXi
“We are 4x cheaper with better technology versus VMware.”
I’ve been fairly open in my opinion against the latest round of Microsoft FUD coming out of their Worldwide Partner Conference this week but I felt strongly enough by the utter crap coming out of their mouths to respond in a post.
It’s not so much about the claim to be 4x cheaper than the VMware Cloud Suite…but more the outright incorrect claims that their technology is somehow superior to that of VMware’s.
I’ve found myself in the position to have been exposed to both Hyper-V and ESXi (not counting the Management and Orchestration suites) and in fact I cut my teeth in the Virtualization world on Hyper-V…so unlike others out there who see things only through the rose colored glasses Microsoft seem to sew onto peoples faces… I go by a real world operational perspective that’s not blinkered.
So here it is…Microsoft Hyper-V is not the equal or superior to VMware’s ESXi! And rather than go through feature by feature..In the interest of keeping this post short and to the point, I would challenge anybody to sit someone who has had zero exposure to the Virtualization market to evaluate both Hyper-V and ESXi side by side…without bias or without prejudice there is no doubt in anyone's mind that no logical person would choose Hyper-V as the better hypervisor platform over ESXi. To reinforce that…ESXi will come out on top.
It’s that simple!
Of course I now fall firmly with the side of VMware and some will argue that my own view is blurred but I can tell you that my current opinions are based on fact and experience…not desperate attempts to discredit otherwise far far superior technology…but then again…Microsoft have made a habit of this so it doesn’t surprise me.
Kevin Turner you are a disgrace!
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
COO at FA IT SERVICES PLC
Lacks flexibility and decent reporting; reasonably priced and stable
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is stable and the cost is reasonable."
- "The solution is lacking in numerous features and lacks flexibility."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case is for a UAT environment, for test purposes. We are users and I'm the COO.
What is most valuable?
The solution is stable and the cost is reasonable.
What needs improvement?
We're missing quite a lot of features on Hyper-V and I'd like to see more flexibility in terms of moving server automation. Unfortunately, the reporting mechanism is not there. They really need to move in the direction of Hyper-V, a hyper-convergence infrastructure kind of solution.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There are sometimes issues with the network but the solution is stable.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was a little complex but not too bad. The deployment was carried out in-house. Along with our end users we have over two million customers who use this solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay a one-off licensing fee. The cost is competitive.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
In our search for an HCI solution, we have evaluated several solutions but haven't come to a decision yet. HCI offers much better flexibility, and integration between cloud and in-house sourcing, and is better from a management perspective. What we have now doesn't compare to what HCI offers.
What other advice do I have?
We are currently looking to move to an HCI solution.
I rate this product five out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Learn More: Questions:
- VMware vs. Hyper-V - Which do you prefer?
- Do you think there is a minimum critical threshold that justifies the deployment of the System Center suite?
- How does Hyper-V compare to alternative Virtualization solutions?
- What Is The Biggest Difference Between Hyper-V And KVM?
- How does KVM compare with Hyper-V?
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- VMware ESXi or VMware Workstation?
- VMware vs. Hyper-V - Which do you prefer?
- How does VMware ESXi compare to alternative virtualization solutions?
To keep it short; when working with VMM I found some tasks to be too cumbersome compared to vSphere and vCenter. Setting access rights was a nightmare in VMM, a dream in ESXi and vCenter. However, I liked the IP pools concept in VMM. vCenter also has IP pools, but they are designed for usage with virtual appliances and can't as easily be used for auto assigning static IP-adresses to auto-deployed virtual machines like in VMM. Automation worked better with VMM and Microsofts Orhestrator, then with Microsofts Orhestrator and VMWare.