I've been running SmarterMail as a virtual server for many years. My physical server is an HP Proliant running Windows 2012 R2 and Hyper-V. SmarterMail is running on a Windows 2012 R2 virtual machine. Let me list just a few of the advantages.

 

1:) Live Migration to another server with no downtime.

2.) The ability to make a snapshot (checkpoint) at any time and then revert to it quickly with a few mouse clicks. This is a great feature to have before a major upgrade.

3.) Backup and restore without having to turn off/reboot physical server

4.) Easy to add/expand/shrink storage with no downtime.

5.) Add memory or cpu resources from the Hyper-V console, all it takes is a quick VM reboot.

6.) Real time replication/mirroring to a second server, built in to the OS at the Hyper-V level, whether local or at another hosting facility for serious redundancy.

7.) Create and manage virtual switches and virtual LANs from the Windows Hyper-V console.

8.) All of this is included in one Windows 2012 R2 license.

 

I just couldn't fathom going back to a physical server as an application server for love nor money!

 

Matt

Thanks for the comprehensive response, and I'm not even the one who posted the question!

 

Now I am forced to express my gratitude too :)

 

But indeed, I know there are already huge sites running on VMWare/hyper-v, so also mail must be no problem