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VMware Ships Free Virtualization Server
VMware announced this week that it is now shipping the free version of its
virtualization server platform.
VMware Server is the successor to the company's GSX Server and is designed
to let users quickly provision new server capacity by partitioning a physical
server into multiple virtual machines, the Palo Alto, Calif. company said in
a statement.
Although it might seem a little coincidental that EMC-owned VMware would make
the announcement the same week that its chief rival, Microsoft, announced modifications
to its own Virtual Server licensing at its partner show, Velocity 2006, in Boston,
VMware Server has been in the works for a while.
The product, which has been in beta
testing since February, is meant to provide users with a free, entry-level
hosted virtualization environment for Windows and Linux servers.
Microsoft officials said this week the company will loosen
licensing constraints on Windows Vista, Virtual PC and Windows Server 2003 Datacenter
Edition in order to promote the use of its virtualization technologies among
customers.
As much as it is a countermove to Microsoft, VMware's strategy is meant
to provide a smooth migration path for customers, which starts with the free
server virtualization product and moves up to the company's recently
released Infrastructure 3 suite, the company's statement said.
VMware Server is available here.
While the server is free, enterprise-class support costs $350 for a one-year
subscription per two processors for Gold level and $450 for Platinum level.
About the Author
Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.