Exchange 2007 Virtualization supportability

Greetings everybody,

Today's post is regarding Exchange 2007 Virtualization supportability for Microsoft and non-Microsoft hardware Virtualization.

In a way that Virtualization is taking over server boxes and changing the Datacenter paradigm, many architects and system administrators come across with some design doubts. Can we virtualize Exchange 2007 or not?

I am afraid that this is not the answer you were waiting for, but I have to say that at the moment you just can't use hardware virtualization for the supported version of Exchange 2007 (64-bit). You may use hardware virtualization on Exchange 2007 32-bit for testing on a lab environment.

Here is the full explanation from the Technet article Exchange Server 2007: Platforms, Editions, and Versions for Exchange 2007 virtualization supportability with Microsoft Virtual Server and Microsoft Virtual PC.

Neither Exchange 2007 nor Exchange 2007 SP1 is supported in production in a virtual environment. However, as stated previously, Microsoft Virtual Server is a good environment for training, labs, and demos. Exchange 2007 and Exchange 2007 SP1 are supported in production environments using only the 64-bit version of Exchange 2007, and currently neither Microsoft Virtual Server nor Microsoft Virtual PC supports 64-bit guest systems. Exchange 2007 and Exchange 2007 SP1 are also not supported in production in a virtual environment using virtualization software that is not Microsoft software. For details about the Microsoft support policy for third-party virtualization software, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article 897615, Support policy for Microsoft software running in non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software. The first 64-bit guest support is expected to be included with Hypervisor, which is an add-in for Windows Server 2008 from Microsoft that is scheduled to ship within 180 days of Windows Server 2008. Note that this is within 180 days, meaning it could ship the same day as Windows Server 2008, or it could ship 180 days after Windows Server 2008 ships. For more information about Microsoft virtualization plans, see the Microsoft Machine Virtualization Roadmap Chat Transcript.


Regarding the support policy for Exchange 2007 for non-Microsoft virtualization, the kb article 897615- Support policy for Microsoft software running in non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software addresses that situation which also applies to all other Microsoft products.

Supportability for non-Premier customers running non-Microsoft hardware virtualization: Microsoft does not test or support Microsoft software running together with non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software. For Microsoft customers who do not have a Premier-level support agreement, Microsoft will require that the issue to be reproduced independently from the non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software. Where the issue is confirmed to be unrelated to the non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software, Microsoft will support its software in a manner that is consistent with support provided when that software is not running together with non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software.

Supportability for Premier customers running non-Microsoft hardware virtualization:
For Microsoft Premier-level support customers running non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software from vendors with which Microsoft does not have an established support relationship that covers virtualization solutions, Microsoft will use commercially reasonable efforts to investigate potential issues with Microsoft software running together with non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software. As part of that investigation, Microsoft may require the issue to be reproduced independently from the non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software. Where issues are confirmed to be unrelated to the non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software, Microsoft will support its software in a manner that is consistent with support provided when that software is not running together with non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software.

Supportability for customers running non-Microsoft hardware virtualization from vendors with a joint support relationship:
Microsoft will jointly support certain non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software from vendors with which Microsoft has established a support relationship that covers virtualization solutions. This joint support will include coordinating with the vendor to investigate support issues. As part of the investigation, Microsoft may require the issue to be reproduced independently from the non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software. Where issues are confirmed to be unrelated to the non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software, Microsoft will support its software in a manner that is consistent with support provided when that software is not running together with non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software.

For a complete list of vendors that Microsoft has established a joint support relationship for non-Microsoft hardware virtualization check the kb article 944987 - Support partners for non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software.

At the moment the only company listed is Novel, Inc. but it is subject to change.

R-Tape Loading error,
Luís Rato