Question : Virtualize with 64 bit servers for 64 bit apps?

Hi, we're going to be virtualizing.  Among the server apps we're consolidating in this setup is Exchange 2007 which requires a 64 bit machine.  Should we make sure that both servers we're buying are 64 bit machines or does that not matter since the OS is independent of the hardware?  Thanks.!

Answer : Virtualize with 64 bit servers for 64 bit apps?

OS is not independent of hardware. If you want to virtualise a 64-bit Operating System - or for that matter, if you want to use any of the latest virtualisation products - you need a 64-bit CPU as such products are no longer 32-bit compatible.

You'd also want to ensure that the CPU has support for Intel-VT or AMD-V technologies. Typical 'Hypervisors' like Hyper-V need this technology to perform the hardware-assisted virtualisation using the CPU.

-Matt