The dynamic hardware partitioning functionality available in Windows Server 2008 provides the ability to actively add memory, processor and I/O devices while the system is running for enhanced scalability with minimal operational outage, improving availability. In addition, the functionality also improves reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) by allowing hot replace on systems to avoid scheduled maintenance downtime.

Dynamic Hardware Partitioning allows partitioning of multiple operating environments on a single physical server, while minimizing critical business application downtime caused by hardware faults. Automated fault handling combined with dynamic reconfiguration of resources offers increased availability with minimal application disruption - mainframe-class RAS without the high cost.

The collaboration between NEC, Microsoft and Intel offers high-end capabilities often associated with the mainframe environment, but is now available on servers with Windows Server 2008 and Dual-Core Intel^® Itanium^® processors. NEC was recognized by Microsoft for its role in the joint development of Windows Server code name "Longhorn" Dynamic Partitioning and Windows Hardware Error Architecture. This partnering delivers a high availability capability, called Dynamic Hardware Partitioning, through the NEC Express5800/1000 Series servers, the Intel Itanium platform with its Machine Check Architecture (MCA), and Microsoft Windows Server 2008. View WinHec Video on Dynamic Partitioning.