Check out this story from January for a look at Microsoft's broad strategy for virtualization, which, in a nutshell, is shorthand for separating hardware and software to gain IT efficiency and flexibility. This story from February looks at how three Seattle-area enterprises are using various flavors of virtualization technology.

In announcing the release, Microsoft touted several customers who adopted the technology early. Perhaps most interesting is how Microsoft is using the technology itself -- eating their own dog food, as the saying goes.

The company has virtualized servers running some of its large Web properties, including the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN), a software-developer site that serves up an average of 3 million daily page views. The company's main home page, Microsoft.com, with 38 million average daily page views, is getting similar treatment. Half of Microsoft.com's servers will be virtualized by the end of June, the company said.

Microsoft said 150 applications have been certified for use on Hyper-V.

Competitors in the virtualization space include VMWare and Virtual Iron.