Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 is now free. Yes, free, gratis, and without charge. Microsoft has made their Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition freely available, surely an important move given the mounting industry interest in virtualization.

"Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 was first launched in September 2004; the cost was $999 for Enterprise Edition and $499 for Standard Edition. In December 2005 Microsoft began offering Virtual Server 2005 for $199 Enterprise Edition and $99 Standard Edition. As of today, Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition is free to download here. Standard Edition is no longer being offered. Additionally, the availability of virtual machine add-ins for Linux and a technical product support model for Linux guest operating systems running on Virtual Server 2005 R2", said a Microsoft spokesperson.