Microsoft has announced the VHD Test Drive Program, which provides customers with an enhanced server-based software evaluation experience that’s faster and less expensive, better supported and more flexible. The VHD Test Drive program is a first for Microsoft software and the more than 7,000 software vendors who can now deliver pre-configured mainstream applications within Windows Server-based virtual machines to their customers. Microsoft partners can now offer their prospective/current customers greater choice during the software evaluation process for mainstream applications and make it easier to evaluate complex solutions through the distribution of pre-configured virtual machines that can run on Virtual Server 2005 R2. You can also use System Center Virtual Machine Manager, now available as a beta, to manage all the virtual machines in your environment.

The VHD Test Drive Program enables Microsoft and partners to distribute VHD images that contain Microsoft software and partner software. The VHDs are pre-built and pre-configured so that they can be downloaded or distributed for fast evaluation and testing of Microsoft software and partner applications.

The Microsoft Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) format is the common virtualization file format that provides a uniform product support system, and provides more seamless manageability, security, reliability and cost-efficiency for customers. The VHD format captures the entire virtual machine operating system and the application stack in a single file.

Virtual machine technology applies to both server and client hardware. Virtual machine technology enables multiple operating systems to run concurrently on a single machine. Virtual machine technology serves a variety of purposes. It enables hardware consolidation, because multiple operating systems can run on one computer. Another of the key applications of virtual machine technology is seen in test and development environments, where features such as faster provisioning, re-usability of the VHDs and ability to be hardware agonistic provide a more seamless environment.

The current virtual hard drive (.VHD) images available are as follows:

Exchange Server 2007 VHD
This download comes as a pre-configured VHD. This download enables you evaluate how Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 together can help create an optimized messaging system for your organization.

SQL Server 2005 VHD
This download comes as a pre-configured VHD. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 is a comprehensive, integrated, end-to-end data solution that empowers your people by providing a more secure, reliable, and productive platform for enterprise data and BI applications.

Windows Server 2003 R2 VHD
This download comes as a pre-configured VHD and helps you evaluate the new features of Windows Server 2003 R2, the most productive infrastructure platform for powering connected applications, networks, and Web services from the workgroup to the data center.

ISA Server 2006 VHD
This download comes as a pre-configured VHD. ISA Server 2006 is the integrated edge security gateway that helps protect your IT environment from Internet-based threats while providing users with fast and secure remote access to applications and data.

Via: Chris Haaker at Geeking Microsoft (thanks dude!)