Cisco adds Windows Server 8 Hyper-V support to networking switches

Cisco has extended its networking tools for virtualised systems with the addition of support for Microsoft's Windows Server 8.

The update allows Cisco's Nexus 1000V switch and Virtual Machine Fabric Extender (VM-FEX) tools to be used with Hyper-V and the Windows Server 8 platform.

The Nexus 1000V functions as a software-based networking switch for virtual systems, allowing network traffic between virtual machines to be managed alongside physical switches, and networking controls and policies to remain consistent between physical and virtualised traffic.

Similarly, VM-FEX allows administrators to merge the monitoring and management of physical systems and virtualised Hyper-V servers through a single platform.

Prashant Gandhi, Cisco's director of product development, told reporters that administrators will be able to control the flow of network traffic through virtual machines rather than cede those duties to virtualisation administrators.

"This is a testament to the integration that we are bring together into the Hyper-V environment," he said.

The devices will be available next year when Microsoft releases the final build of Windows Server 8.

"Today's announcement of the Nexus 1000V and VM-FEX working together with Microsoft Hyper-V aligns with our strategy of delivering advanced components so that customers can deploy an end-to-end virtualised datacentre and simplify how they deliver and manage IT services to their clients," said Microsoft's senior director of Windows server and virtualisation, Mike Schutz.