News

Sun Releases Virtual Desktop Infrastructure 3

Sun has released Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Software 3, a major update to the company's virtualization management suite. The new version includes expanded VMware support, Open Storage integration and Active Directory support, among other enhancements.

Sun VDI Software 3 is a virtualization management solution built on a variety of open source technologies, including MySQL, OpenSolaris, Open Storage, and VirtualBox. It supports the deployment of a range of guest operating systems to desktop systems (including Macs) and thin clients, and it works with VMware Infrastructure, Sun's built-in virtualization capabilities, or a combination of the two.

Version 3 has new features, such as Open Storage integration and integration with Solaris ZFS, Sun's local file system. It expands its VMware support, adding VMware ESX server 3.5 and VMware VirtualCenter 2.5. The product comes with a single installer for core components and it supports RDP devices without the need to install additional software. It also features Active Directory support.

"I am really impressed with Sun VDI Software 3," said Richard Toeniskoetter, technology director for the W. A. Franke College of Business at Northern Arizona University, in a statement released on Tuesday. "The open architecture will provide us with a broad choice of client device, virtualization host and virtual desktop OS. That's really important to us at NAU because flexible access to Windows and Unix desktops, some of which have been in production for over seven years, maximizes our IT utilization and simplifies our management."

The university reported that it has saved 95 percent of its electrical costs associated with computing by switching to Sun Ray thin clients.

Sun VDI Software 3 is available now, with subscription options starting at $40 per user per year. Free trial software is available here. Further information can be found here.

About the Author

Dave Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's educational technology online publications and electronic newsletters.

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.