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VMware Server 2.0 Hits RC1 Stage

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VMware today shipped the Release Candidate 1 build (101586) for VMware Server 2.0. The free product should become ready to manufacter this quarter, but feel free to join the beta program here.

Here’s what’s new:

  • Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS): Properly backup the state of the Windows virtual machines when using the snapshot feature to maintain data integrity of the applications running inside the virtual machine.
  • Virtual Machine Communication Interface (VMCI): Support for fast and efficient communication between a virtual machine and the host operating system and between two or more virtual machines on the same host.
  • Support for SCSI pass-through (generic) devices: Allows for SCSI devices such as tape backup devices to be connected to virtual machines.
  • Expand disk capacity on the fly: Allows for adding new SCSI hard disks and controllers to a running virtual machine.
  • Firefox 3 as a supported browser for the management interface.
  • Remote Client Devices: Access devices such as CD-ROMs that are not physically connected to the host via VMware Remote Console
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What’s Up At Virtugo Software?

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We got an interesting comment on our report on Qlusters calling it quits, which points us to the fact that the website of Virtugo Software has been down for some time. Commenter Blocka suspects the company has gone belly-up, since the phones have been disconnected and e-mails remain unanswered.

Virtugo Software had a powerful virtual management suite called VirtualSuite, enabling system administrators to monitor host and virtual servers in real-time as well as optimize the performance of applications running on the servers in the virtual environment. In April 2007, Virtugo was acquired by uXcomm, who changed its name in Virtugo Software, and in September 2007 they shipped an upgraded version of VirtualSuite, which got quite some positive reviews. The company also subsequently raised about $2 million in venture capital.

After that, it got a little quiet around Virtugo Software, with the exception of a Network World review of VirtualSuite in February 2008. Then one of the co-founders left the company to become a Vice President at Computer Associates last March. Apparently, Chris Dickson fled a sinking ship.

We have an e-mail in with the company for a response, and well update this post if we get an answer.

If anyone has more information, get in touch.

HP To Embed Parallels Virtuozzo In Integrity Server Line

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eWeek reports that HP will start selling and supporting Parallels‘ container virtualization technology, Virtuozzo, with its Integrity server line-up, starting today.

HP Integrity servers support the company’s Unix operating system, HP-UX, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and several variations of Linux. The Parallels Virtuozzo containers are designed to work with both Windows and Linux. HP already embedded VMware ESX Server and Citrix XenServer at factory level, so this is a way for them to give customers even more options to virtualize.

The Parallels Virtuozzo containers will cost $4,500 per two processors and the Parallels Infrastructure Manager bundle costs $5,000. The Virtuozzo suite does not currently integrate with HP’s management software for Integrity.

SoftLayer Extends Offer With Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V

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SoftLayer extends its solution set to include virtualization with the release of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V. Hyper-V can be ordered through the SoftLayer customer portal and provisioned automatically along with a server’s operating system or systems.

“Deploying Hyper-V is the first step in an extensive virtualization strategy that we are rolling out over the coming months,” stated George Karidis, Chief Strategy Officer. “The opportunities and advantages of virtualization are radically impacting the way we envision SoftLayer’s future and our fundamental approach to server and data center architecture.”

Citrix Pushes Embedding XenServer With Extended OEM Incentive Program

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Citrix has extended its Citrix Advisor Rewards program today to pay channel partners on sales of Citrix XenServer software that ships as an embedded feature in servers from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like HP.

The program, originally introduced in 2004, pays Citrix Solution Advisors for designing and delivering solutions based on Citrix application delivery products, even if a different channel partner ultimately fulfills the order. Extending the program to include embedded versions of XenServer eliminates any potential channel conflict with OEM partners and ensures strong incentives across the board by compensating partners that influence embedded XenServer deals as well as those who fulfill them.

Citrix has announced several OEM agreements in recent months to embed XenServer in servers from systems vendors such as HP. As a result of today’s announcement, the Citrix Advisor Rewards program now pays channel partners on sales of these products, effectively eliminating potential channel conflict and focusing the extensive expertise of Citrix Solution Advisors on delivering the best possible solutions to customers.

“Customers want to implement virtualization with reduced risk, and HP understands that the channel is essential to meeting those requirements,” said Scott Farrand, vice president, Industry Standard Server Software, HP. “Citrix’s new channel program enables partners to offer a comprehensive virtualization solution that integrates the power of HP ProLiant servers with the rich functionality of the Citrix XenServer HP Select Edition from a single, reliable source.”

Dell Introduces Blade Chassis Virtualization Tool FlexAddress

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Dell has followed on the introduction of its PowerEdge M-Series blade server solution with Dell FlexAddress, a tool for blade chassis virtualization and persistent identity. Dell FlexAddress is in essence an I/O virtualization tool for its blade servers, making it easier for IT managers to install new blades and swap out servers.

Dell FlexAddress is enabled by a special SD card for the PowerEdge M1000e Chassis Management Controller (CMC) and the latest firmware. The FlexAddress SD card is now available worldwide with a starting price of $499.

Dell says FlexAddress allows any M-Series blade enclosure to abstract the Fibre Channel World Wide Name (WWN) and Ethernet/iSCSI Media Access Control (MAC) from the blade hardware and, instead, tie it persistently to a slot in the M1000e chassis. This feature provides customers with an efficient, flexible and consistent infrastructure. Dell FlexAddress is managed by the Chassis Management Controller (CMC) in the PowerEdge M1000e, keeping it agnostic to the I/O module and avoiding the need to “switch your switch.”

Since Dell FlexAddress is controlled by the Chassis Management Controller (CMC), it doesn’t add a management layer. This means it can seamlessly integrate into the network management tools already used in any data center today, such as CiscoWorks.