Server Virtualization

The Virtual Machine Tsunami

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:45:00 EST

Over the past two weeks, I have had a number of very interesting conversations with partners, prospects, customers, and analysts that lead me to believe that a virtual machine tsunami is building which might soon swamp the legacy, horizontal system management approaches. Here is what I have heard: Two separate prospects told me that they have quickly consumed every available bit of capacity on their VMware server farms. As soon as they add more capacity, it disappears under the weight of an ever pressing demand of new VMs.

Server Virtualization and the Importance of N-Port ID Virtualization

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Performance and quality of service increasingly make n-port ID virtualization a critical technology underpinning what vendors and users are building on to virtualize mission-critical applications and bring best-in-class management to the virtual data center.

Business Continuity: The Catalyst that Makes Virtualization Work

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:15:00 EDT

Flexible, fluid, and fast-evolving, software has regularly outstripped the capacity of the hardware it runs on, which by its nature is more rigid and slower to change. For most computer users that difference might mean occasionally sluggish performance or an inability to use certain features, depending on what hardware/software combination they’re using. When the software intelligence in question is virtualization, however, the stakes are much higher.

When DataCore Storage Virtualization and Citrix Virtualization Combine

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EDT

DataCore announced that its SANsymphony and SANmelody products have been certified on Citrix's newest XenServer 5 release as virtual SAN appliances, as well as on both standard servers and blades. With XenServer 5, Citrix has optimized Citrix XenApp performance on XenServer virtual machines. According to Citrix, this enables XenApp workloads to be virtualized with as little as 7% overhead and as many as 73% more users than XenApp workloads virtualized with competing products. Citrix XenApp is used by more than 100 million users and 99% of the Fortune Global 500.

Marathon Technologies Brings Fault-Tolerant Software to Server Virtualization

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:45:00 EDT

Marathon Technologies announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Ingram Micro. Under terms of the agreement, Ingram Micro will offer Marathon's everRun high availability and disaster recovery software to its resellers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Included in the distribution agreement is Marathon's everRun VM, the fault-tolerant, high availability software for server virtualization that is integrated with Citrix XenServer.

Samsung Selected for HP ProLiant Virtualization Blade Server

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:45:00 EDT

Samsung announced that its 32 gigabyte (GB) and 64 GB solid state drives (SSDs) have been selected for use in the HP ProLiant BL495c virtualization blade server. This represents an SSD being qualified for use in a server optimized for virtualization. The server blade is designed specifically to host virtual machines, and is designed for use in virtualized environments that require significant memory, data storage and network connections to optimize server performance.

StorMagic SM Series Certified on VMware Server Virtualization

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:45:00 EDT

StorMagic announced that the StorMagic SM Series has been certified with VMware ESX 3.5 and ESX 3i. The StorMagic SM Series is now listed on the VMware Storage / SAN Compatibility Guide, allowing joint customers to benefit from the latest VMware server virtualization features while being able to easily manage shared storage in their existing virtualized environments.

The Green IT Side of Server Virtualization

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EDT

Until recently the primary motivator for deploying server virtualization was consolidation. Server virtualization gave organizations a way of controlling their sprawling physical server environments by letting them run more than one application and one operating system on a single physical server. It was an IT manager’s dream and, as it turned out, a CIO's too.

Making the Right Server Virtualization Decision

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:00:00 EDT

When it comes to choosing a server virtualization technology, functionality, scalability, ease-of-use, packaging and pricing are all important – whether you are a large enterprise with thousands of servers, or a small enterprise with less than 20. Unfortunately, organizations often have to sacrifice one for the other – i.e., forfeit feature/function for price or feature/function for ease of use, etc. But that's changing for the better for users.

Microsoft's Hyper-V Released

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:45:00 EDT

Let the games begin. First thing this morning Microsoft said that its standalone Hyper-V Server 2008, the bare metal hypervisor meant to help it wrest leadership of the virtualization market from VMware, would be available today. Anticipating Microsoft’s coming, VMware declared its standalone hypervisor a commodity a couple of months ago and – in a market broadening play – cut the $495-$1,090 price to free. Microsoft, which was only supposed to charge a nominal 28 bucks a head for its like-minded widgetry, followed suit a few weeks later.

Open-E Releases Data Storage Server for VMware ESX 3.5 Virtualization

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:45:00 EDT

Open-E announced general availability of Data Storage Server (DSS) for VMware ESX 3.5. VMware provides TAP program members with tools to develop products that are complementary to VMware virtualization software and help deliver high-value solutions to joint customers. Data Storage Server for VMware ESX 3.5 will provide mutual customers with enhanced capabilities for consolidating storage environments.

Open-E Data Storage Server Certified with Virtual Iron's Server Virtualization Software

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:00:00 EDT

Open-E announced that Open-E Data Storage Server (DSS) has been certified for use with Virtual Iron's server virtualization software. Environments deploying both Virtual Iron and Open-E Data Storage Server (DSS) will benefit from streamlined virtual infrastructure, improved server and storage utilization and robust business continuity.

Server Virtualization & Power Savings

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT

It's a story that is all-too-familiar across organizations today. Rising electricity costs, shrinking power supplies, and mounting social and economic pressure to be "green" are forcing organizations across the globe to rethink their IT strategies. For an increasing number of organizations, server virtualization has become a significant means to a power-reducing end.

Alternative Technology to Support for Oracle VM Virtualization

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:30:00 EDT

Alternative Technology announced that they will distribute Oracle VM software and sell Oracle VM server virtualization support for both Oracle and non-Oracle applications. Alternative Technology will leverage its North American channel, education and technical resources to expand the reach of Oracle's server virtualization software and support offering.

Chelsio Unified Wire Integrated with Oracle VM Server Virtualization

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:10:00 EDT

Chelsio Communications announced its software drivers have been integrated in the latest release of Oracle VM server virtualization software. Chelsio has taken a high standing in connecting virtual servers to the converged data center network, enabling end users to more effectively utilize their server and storage resources and more easily adjust to changing demand.

Compellent Supports Oracle VM Server Virtualization Software

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:45:00 EDT

Compellent announced support for Oracle VM server virtualization software. Compellent's advanced virtualization creates a powerful storage infrastructure, delivering high performance, reduced cost of ownership, simplified storage management and an ideal platform for Oracle VM. Oracle VM server virtualization software supports both Oracle and non-Oracle applications, and offers scalable, low-cost server virtualization.

XenServer 5 Changes the Game in Server Virtualization

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:30:00 EDT

Citrix Systems announced Citrix XenServer 5, the next generation of its server virtualization product line. XenServer 5 overcomes the limitations and complexity of first-generation solutions with new management capabilities and ease-of-use that make datacenters more dynamic for customers of all sizes. This release comes on the heels of new data showing XenServer gaining share in the rapidly-evolving server virtualization market less than one year after acquiring XenSource and the XenServer product line.

Citrix XenServer – Virtualization Everywhere

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:29:00 EDT

It’s time to look for ways to extend the benefits of virtualization to companies of all sizes, particularly mid-sized businesses. Citrix Systems has focused development of its XenServer product line on overcoming the implementation challenges of server virtualization faced by mid-sized firms, to bring the benefits of virtualization to every organization.

Stupid Mistake Cripples VMware Servers

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT

A time bomb reportedly left over from the beta of VMware’s two-week-old update to ESX 3.5 and ESXi 3.5 (Update 2) caused product licenses to expire yesterday. It also happened with a patch to ESX 3.5 or ESXi 3.5 Update 2.

Lieberman Software Launches Server Virtualization Management Initiative

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:30:00 EDT

Lieberman Software's User Manager Pro Suite, a configuration management solution for Windows-powered servers and workstations, has achieved Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V certification. Several additional Lieberman Software products are scheduled for Microsoft's rigorous Hyper-V certification testing process.

Azaleos Adds Support for Microsoft Hyper-V Server Virtualization

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:30:00 EDT

Azaleos announced that its OneServer Virtual Edition product now also supports Microsoft Hyper -V Server for virtualization of Microsoft Exchange e-mail servers. The immediate availability of Hyper-V support combined with existing support for VMware ESX, allows customers to choose either virtualization platform, or a physical server option, for their Exchange infrastructure with Azaleos OneStop Services.

The Virtualization Paradox

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:35:00 EDT

Not too long ago a few software engineers figured out that a server running a single application is wasteful because a significant amount of power is consumed by the server, yet only a small fraction of the processing capability is being used. Today one of the many reasons IT departments leverage server virtualization is to reduce the electrical usage in the data center. Unfortunately, they stop there and are unaware that their data center efficiency has suffered for the same reason that drove them to virtualize in the first place.

IntApp Announces Integration Builder 4.1 for VMware ESX Virtualization

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:10:00 EDT

IntApp announced the availability of Integration Builder 4.1. VMware provides TAP program members with tools to develop products that are complementary to VMware virtualization software and help deliver high-value solutions to our joint customers.

Tidal Software Joins VMware Virtualization Program

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:15:00 EDT

Tidal Software announced it recently joined the VMware Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) program. The VMware TAP program helps technology vendors integrate their products with VMware virtualization software and deliver timely, joint solutions to mutual customers.

Chocolatier TCHO Uses VMware Fusion Virtualization

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:30:00 EDT

VMware announced that TCHO, an emerging and innovative manufacturer of premium chocolate, has deployed VMware Fusion across the company’s Macintosh desktop systems to provide its staff with the flexibility to move seamlessly between native Macintosh applications and virtualized Windows-based applications.

Hardware and OS Virtualization: Multiple Solutions May Be the Answer

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Finding the appropriate virtualization technology to fit an organization's requirements depends on the needs of the environment, combined with the feature sets of each virtualization architecture. Oftentimes, organizations find that a single approach doesn't complete the picture and multiple virtualization technologies are required.

Virtual Iron Releases New Version of its Server Virtualization Platform

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EDT

Virtual Iron announced new power management capabilities in the latest version of its software, Virtual Iron Version 4.4. This release extends Virtual Iron's virtual infrastructure management capabilities with the addition of LivePower, a new experimental feature that automatically optimizes power usage to deliver cost-savings and environmental benefits across the data center.

QualiSpace Announces Private Server Virtualization Promo

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:45:00 EDT

QualiSpace announced Virtual Private Servers Promotional offer for all new as well existing Customers and Resellers. All the clients can avail the benefits of Dedicated Server at a fraction of its cost. Powered by Parallels Virtual Private Servers and its integrated migration tools, clients now have an efficient way to maximize their serving resources while nearly removing the risk of downtime.

Virtualization Conference & Expo: How to Find and Resolve Capacity Bottlenecks in Virtual Server Environments

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EDT

Currently, an overwhelming majority of organizations are migrating and consolidating servers from physical to virtual environments. While the savings of the virtualized data center are extremely compelling, there is a new set of challenges that IT staffs didn’t have to deal with in the physical world. One of the challenges is getting used to the fact that all hardware resources: CPU, memory, storage, and network utilization are shared between virtual machines. This means that applications and users can impact each other and therefore resource monitoring becomes extremely important. If you don’t closely monitor resource consumption by each virtual machine and simply keep adding more virtual machines without doing analysis on how this will impact all four core resources, the result will be bad performance and even system downtime. Ultimately, this means unhappy users, dissatisfied managers, and a negative impact on the virtualization project. So, you need to find a way to prevent this problem.

StackSafe Upgrades Test Center with Enhanced Support for Virtualization Environments

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:45:00 EDT

StackSafe announced that StackSafe Test Center now includes automated import of virtual infrastructure components. Users can import virtualized production environments into Test Center, enabling them to stage both virtualized and physical production environments for testing activities. With this upgrade, Test Center provides testing that covers the gamut of potential scenarios, from physical infrastructure stacks to virtual infrastructure stacks to "hybrid" environments that include both physical and virtual components.

SunGard Availability Services Introduces Server Virtualization Service

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:45:00 EDT

SunGard Availability Services announced Virtual Server Replication Services, an AdvancedRecovery solution for organizations using virtualization technology to run their business applications. The offering provides companies an affordable way to implement a comprehensive second site recovery program for virtual and physical IT environments, with failover within six hours.

New Release of VMware Lab Manager Announced

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:45:00 EDT

VMware has announced the pending availability of VMware Lab Manager 3, which is supposed to provide greater automation and control for IT lab environments. Software developers and QA engineers use VMware Lab to provision multi-VM environments and it’s also meant to give IT departments more control over policies. The new release supports multiple organizational units – like helpdesk operations, training organizations and sales teams – advanced networking capabilities, and tighter integration with VMware Infrastructure.

3Leaf Systems Delivers Disaster Recovery for Large Scale Server Farms with New I/O Virtualization Release

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:30:00 EDT

3Leaf Systems announced the general availability of 3Leaf V-8000 Virtual I/O Server version 2.0, a key component of 3Leaf Virtual Compute Environment. The new software release delivers disaster recovery, streamlined management, and enhanced availability for large x86 server deployments. Executing on 3Leaf's strategy of enabling virtualization by running on standard hardware, the V-8000 version 2.0 software is an I/O virtualization solution that runs on standard off the shelf commodity x86 servers.

VMLogix LabManager to Support Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V Virtualization

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT

VMLogix announced VMLogix LabManager 3.6 with support for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V. VMLogix LabManager is hypervisor agnostic and with the introduction of Hyper-V now supports all standard server virtualization platforms, enabling users to leverage their existing infrastructure and effectively centralize lab management and operations.

Hyperic Announces Enterprise Monitoring and Management Software for Citrix XenServer Virtualization

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:30:00 EDT

Building on its existing standing in virtualization management, Hyperic announced Hyperic HQ for Citrix XenServer enterprise-class management and monitoring software for the popular Citrix XenServer virtualization software. The new software allows XenServer administrators to assess IT decisions within their XenServer environment.

New Release of VMware Lab Manager Virtualization

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:15:00 EDT

VMware announced the general availability of VMware Lab Manager 3, providing even greater automation and control for IT lab environments. VMware Lab Manager has fast become the industry-standard lab automation solution that provides software development and QA engineers with fast and simple self-service provisioning of multi-VM environments while giving IT departments increased control over policies. With this new release, VMware Lab Manager now offers comprehensive support for multiple organizational units, advanced networking capabilities, and tighter integration with VMware Infrastructure.

Virtualization - VMware To Cut its Hypervisor Price To Free

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Two weeks after its co-founder and CEO Diane Greene was abruptly dismissed, VMware - now run by one of Microsoft's old rulers, Paul Maritz - disclosed exactly how much under its promised 50% year-over-year growth 2008 is going to be. It's going to be 5%-8% short of the magic number.

SteelEye Introduces Disaster Recovery Protection for Citrix XenServer Virtualization

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

SteelEye announced the general availability of SteelEye Protection Suite, a comprehensive solution that provides disaster protection of virtual machines running on Citrix XenServer. SteelEye Protection Suite delivers real-time LAN and WAN replication of XenServer virtual machines. It is designed for companies that have migrated critical enterprise applications to XenServer virtual machines and want enhanced protection against data center outages to ensure business continuity.

Fortisphere Joins VMware Virtualization Program

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Fortisphere announced that it has joined the VMware Community Source program, a collaborative development initiative designed to accelerate the creation of a rich variety of products that integrate with VMware Infrastructure, the datacenter virtualization and management suite.

Ericom Announces Desktop Virtualization Solution That Supports VMware's ESXi Hypervisor

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:15:00 EDT

Ericom announced that its desktop virtualization (VDI) and presentation virtualization (SBC) solution, PowerTerm WebConnect, fully integrates with VMware's free ESXi hypervisor. Currently, PowerTerm WebConnect is one of the only desktop virtualization solution that can manage VMware ESXi without the need to deploy VirtualCenter -- presenting cost-savings for SMBs and enterprises seeking to deploy a virtualized desktop infrastructure.