We’re pleased to announce the beta release of Virtual Machine Servicing Tool 3.0! VMST 3.0 helps customers reduce IT costs by making it easier to update their offline virtual machines, templates and virtual hard disks with the latest operating system and application patches—without introducing vulnerabilities into their IT infrastructure.

Using VMST 3.0, customers can also keep users productive during updates and maintenance of physical hosts: VMST 3.0 now automates the servicing of Windows Server 2008 R2 failover clusters running Hyper-V—leveraging live migration. To join the beta, just follow this link.

VMST 3.0 helps customers more effectively—and safely—manage the workflow of updating their offline virtualization environment. Using VMST 3.0, customers can now service:

• Offline virtual machines in a SCVMM library.
• Stopped and saved state virtual machines on a host.
• Virtual machine templates.
• Offline virtual hard disks in a SCVMM library by injecting update packages.
• Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V host clusters.

View a Webcast: This level 300 webcast of the Offline Virtual Machine Servicing Tool is scheduled for May 11.