Is it possible to run Hyper-V on Windows Server 2003 as the host OS? The only documentation that I've been able to find is about running Server 2003 as a guest.
Can the Hyper-V role be installed on Windows Server 2003
hyper-vvirtualizationwindows-server-2003
Best Answer
There is no Hyper-V role for Server 2003. Windows Server 2008 is the earliest host OS that has the Hyper-V role available.
You can make 2003 guests on any version oh Hyper-V, but you cannot use 2003 as the host OS.
Windows Server 2003 is in the final phase of extended support anyway. It is scheduled to be completely end-of-support around this time in 2015. You should be doing everything in your power to migrate away from 2003 instead of building a virtualization infrastructure on it. It's 10+ years old now!
If you're looking to "recycle" a license so that you can get into Hyper-V at no cost, you should use the free Hyper-V Server instead. It is a stripped down GUI-less version of Windows Server that exists only to run the Hyper-V role.