Release: Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 Service Pack 1

In June last year Microsoft made available a public beta of Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7, introducing the long awaited Dynamic Memory for Hyper-V and RemoteFX for Remote Desktop Services (RDS) features. In October last year Microsoft released the Release Candidate adding support for using Dynamic Memory on the Standard and Web editions of Windows Server. Now Microsoft has released Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7.

Dynamic Memory provides the ability to pool available memory on a physical host and dynamically make that memory available to virtual machines running on the host, based on current workload needs in the virtual machines. Dynamic Memory allows you to specify a starting value and a maximum value for virtual machine memory allocation. For more information on Dynamic Memory Microsoft provides a technical whitepaper called: Implementing and Configuring Dynamic Memory.

RemoteFX will become a feature of Remote Desktop Services (RDS) which contains protocol enhancements and enables a rich graphics experience using server-side graphics processing by using a vendor supported video display adapter that supports specific 3D hardware acceleration. RemoteFX also provides USB support enabling remote users to redirect local USB devices to their remote desktop sessions. For more information on RemoteFX Microsoft provides a technical whitepaper called: Delivering Business Value with Remote Desktop Services.

Besides that the Service Pack will add bug fixes and other enhancements. Service Pack 1 will be made available to Technet/MSDN subscribers and Volume License customers on the 16th of February, and will be made publically available through Windows Update on February 22nd.