This is really a complaint not a question. I've been using the free version of VMware ESXi for development testing for years. I keep reading about how Hyper-V is catching up to VMware in features. I was excited about the free stand-alone version and decided to try it out. I downloaded the Hyper-V 2012 RC standalone version and installed it. This thing is a trainwreck! There is not a chance in hell that anyone will ever use this thing in scenarios like mine. It obviously intented to be used by IT Geniuses in a domain only. I would really like a version that I can up and running in less than half an hour like esxi. How the heck is anyone going to evaluate it this in a reasonable manner? I feel like it was just thrown out there so Microsoft could claim they have a free virtualization server like MS?
Steps for free ESXi.
1. Download from website burn to CD/DVD.
2. Boot from disc, follow steps to overwrite hard drive and install.
3. After reboot, config management IP address.
4. Go back to my desk and open my web browser to Management IP and download client.
5. Install ESX client and start running VMs!
Steps for Hyper-V
1. Download from website burn to CD/DVD.
2. Boot from disc, follow steps to overwrite hard drive and install.
3. After reboot, config management IP address.
4. Scour the internet for server tools that install the Hyper-V management snap-in for Win 7.
5. Install server management tools pack.
6. Go to add/remove and enable the Hyper-V snap-in.
7. Open Hypver-V snap-in and connect TRY to connect to box.
8. Receive generic authentication error message.
9. Spend several hours scouring the internet looking for registry hacks, firewall hacks that actually allow you to connect to a damn hyper-v box!
10. Eventually you come across the website/project. http://archive.msdn.microsoft.com/HVRemote
This site walks you through all the script changes/reboots you have to make to connect to bloody hyper-v!
Here is what I would prefer
I don't want to download any tools at all. I just want a HTML5 web server on this box that allows me to do everything I can from the Hyper-V console and doesn't make me configure anything other than a password. It would be great if it was themed similar to the new Windows Azure Virtual Machines console. I doesn't have to provide like a built-in viewer to actually interact with the VMs, I would be happy with a remote desktop style connection.