News

Novell, Microsoft Partner on Server Virtualization, Server 2008 on SuSE

Novell announced last Wednesday that it has joined Microsoft's Server Virtualization Validation Program.

Novell's participation will allow customers to run Windows Server 2008 as a virtualized guest on top of Xen hypervisor in SuSE Linux Enterprise 10, with the ability to receive cooperative support from either company.

The Microsoft program, formally announced June 11, requires third-party virtualization solutions to pass a series of predefined technical tests before being validated by the company. Novell said it expects to complete the requirements by August 2008.

"We continue to hear from customers that they want to run Windows Server 2008 as a virtualized guest on top of SuSE Linux Enterprise," said Carlos Montero-Luque, vice president of product management for Linux and Open Platform Solutions at Novell, in a prepared statement. "Novell is excited to extend the ongoing technical collaboration efforts between Novell and Microsoft to the Server Virtualization Validation Program, which will give customers the performance, security and reliability that comes with running Windows Server 2008 as a virtual guest on SuSE Linux Enterprise."

As an early participant in the program, Novell helped Microsoft fine-tune many of the parameters of the Server Virtualization Validation Program, including helping the company define the required technical tests for participation.

Currently, SuSE Linux Enterprise is the only Xen hypervisor on which Microsoft will provide full support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 running as a virtual guest.

About the Author

Chris Riedel is a freelance writer based in Florida.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.