As expected, Microsoft has released the free to download and free to use Virtual Server 2005 R2.  It seems like everyone is giving things away these days!  We told you about the free VMware Server, we told you about the free Virtual Iron and Virtuozzo... let's all welcome Microsoft's virtualization platform to the "free" world!

Brief Description
Download the Enterprise Edition of Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2. Virtual Server R2 is a cost-effective and well supported server virtualization technology for the Windows Server System™ platform. As a key part of any server consolidation strategy, Virtual Server increases hardware utilization and enables organizations to rapidly configure and deploy new servers.

Overview
Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 is an ideal, production-quality tool for consolidating multiple workloads onto a physical server, allowing organizations to make more efficient use of their hardware resources. Built upon Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 SP1 and bolstered with new functionality, Virtual Server 2005 R2 enables IT organizations to enhance their administrative productivity and rapidly deploy new servers to address changing business needs through automated deployment and configuration of connected virtual machines that are easily administered with standard server management tools. Virtual Server 2005 R2 is an extensively tested and well supported virtualization solution that is supported both by the broader ISV community and by Microsoft in conjunction with its server operating systems and applications.

Because it is part of the Microsoft Windows Server System, Virtual Server 2005 R2 is designed to integrate seamlessly with your other server infrastructure investments. For more information about Virtual Server 2005 R2, see the Virtual Server Product Overview page.

In addition to the license terms of this downloaded software, you are also granted rights to use the software to provide hosted services. End customers receiving this software service are not required to obtain their own Microsoft software licenses. End customers receive the right to interact with functionalities of Microsoft software through the services of the provider's hosted environment.