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Microsoft and VMware: Less Hate

VMware's new CEO Paul Maritz knows a thing or two about Microsoft. After all, he worked there for a decade-and-a-half and, last I checked, still lives in the Seattle area. Maritz, I believe, knows how to fight with Microsoft and how to get along when need be.

Recently, we saw an example of what could be a long-lasting détente: VMware joined Microsoft's virtualization validation program, meaning that Microsoft will qualify its applications to run well under ESX and thus gain the advantages of Microsoft's new licensing terms which allow you to move VMs from server to server with no extra licensing costs.

This is a small step, really, but the symbolism is huge. Check out Virtualization Review Editor Keith Ward's thoughts on the subject here.

By the way, I first found this story on our new Web site, aptly named Redmond Report. Here we gather Microsoft news from as many sources as we can find, and post 'em in one easy-to-navigate location. Check it out and let me know what you think at [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on August 21, 2008


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