Virtualization.com

SoftLayer today announced it has begun offering VMware ESX for server virtualization to its comprehensive portfolio of software services.

The new service can be added to any dedicated server and is available through SoftLayer’s fully-automated Customer Portal.

Pooling server resourcesVMware ESX is a bare-metal hypervisor that abstracts processor, memory, storage, and networking resources to create multiple virtual machines (VM) from a single physical machine. Each VM can run separate operating systems and applications. This provides companies of all sizes with a powerful foundation for building a high-performance, cost-efficient, and reliable IT infrastructure by:

• Decreasing power, cooling, and floor space requirements
• Increasing server utilization rates
• Running multiple operating systems on a single physical server

VMware ESX also can be utilized within the VMware vSphere™ platform for building complete, enterprise-class cloud infrastructures.

With hypervisor-based virtualization, a level of software (which is the hypervisor) sits on top of the physical server. The hypervisor allocates portions of the physical server’s hardware resources to create multiple virtual servers that are fully independent and secure. Unlike with hosted virtualization, hypervisor-managed virtual servers can all run different operating systems.

Open Kernel Labs (OK Labs), the provider of embedded virtualization software for mobile phones and broadband Internet devices, and Citrix Systems, today announced the “nirvana phone” reference architecture, using virtualization to enable both mobile communications and office desktop-type productivity.

The nirvana phone concept goes beyond traditional smart phones by allowing users to access their corporate virtual desktop and applications from a single device, in any location.

With support for docking to full-sized displays, keyboards, mice and other PC-type peripherals, nirvana phones will offer mobile workers a complete “virtual desktop in your pocket,” allowing them to take their desktop anywhere without the need to carry around a full laptop. The nirvana phone reference architecture emerges from the partnership between OK Labs and Citrix, together with key ecosystem partners ranging from semiconductor suppliers and handset OEMs to enterprise IT suppliers and mobile network operators (MNOs).

The design builds on Mobile-to-Enterprise (M2E) virtualization and readily-available functionality like mobile virtualization, cloud computing and wireless connectivity (3G, WiFi, Bluetooth). The nirvana phone reference architecture also incorporates emerging capabilities in mobile chipsets and handsets like full resolution video and HD output.

Citrix Systems is both a strategic investor and a key partner for OK Labs, working with the company to provide solutions for delivering enterprise applications to mobile with M2E virtualization. The companies’ combined technologies, including Citrix desktop virtualization and the OKL4 mobile virtualization solutions, promise easily-deployed and securely-managed access to enterprise and desktop applications from wireless devices. M2E virtualization enables end users to leverage a single device, bridging corporate and personal worlds without risk of compromising company data, applications, or networks.

Dialectic Networks, an IT support company, today announced its re-emergence as an LLC and now an IBM/System x reseller and IT services company focused on enabling a “savings triangle” for its customers by utilizing the latest developments in open source software, modular data center designs, and cloud computing using trusted IBM hardware and software.

With energy costs rising as well as the growing demand for highly available compute and storage capacity that can quickly scale, modular and/or portable modular data center (PMDC) environments offer cutting-edge technology that deliver optimum return on investment. DN helps implement these environments, which offer reduced up-front capital and on-going operational expenses vs. more traditional ‘brick and mortar’ installations. Together with virtualized environments and cloud computing solutions, DN’s total cost of ownership designs will result in less front-end construction costs, lower overall costs for power and cooling, and lower costs to manage with time and labor-saving efficiencies.

DN integrates the physical components, software, and infrastructure and offers implementation services for private/public/or hybrid cloud computing environments to its customers, including migration and software management. It generally recommends x86 servers and storage from a full range of IBM rack-mounted servers/blades, including iDataPlex servers for increased density and XIV storage for reliability and power savings. The company also specializes in complete server virtualization solutions with open-source software expertise.

The new PMDC’s can house up to 2,016 high-end, state-of-the-art servers and compatible storage in many flexible configurations in a single container, and additional containers can be integrated quickly as needed. They come with options for multiple carrier fiber connectivity, appropriate data center infrastructure including fully redundant power/cooling and environmental insulation and security, and are available in deploy-ready shipping containers of 20, 40, or 53 feet in length to meet the demand of rapidly growing IT infrastructure needs.