virtualization

Evolve Technologies CEO Dave Sobel Releases Book On Virtualization

January 19, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Evolve Technologies today announced that CEO, Dave Sobel, will release his first book on virtualization at Reiter’s Books in Washington D.C. on Thursday, January 22 at 6:00 p.m.

Sobel’s book entitled, “Virtualization: Defined. A Primer for the SMB Consultant,” explores, in depth, the basics of this technology for small to medium-sized business (SMB) solution providers and IT professionals alike.

Sobel’s first book positions virtualization as a valuable, time and money saving asset for businesses in hopes of eliminating the recent hype surrounding the emerging technology. “Virtualization: Defined” is the essential guide for SMB consultants looking to better understand and utilize virtualization technology to grow their business and increase efficiency and productivity.

Quest Software Releases vWorkspace 6.0

January 19, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Quest Software recently announced the general availability of Quest vWorkspace 6.0, its platform-agnostic virtual desktop management solution allowing the management of multiple desktop deployment models and virtual application delivery. Previously branded Provision Networks Virtual Access Suite, Quest vWorkspace offers customers a desktop deployment and application delivery platform that further extends Quest’s EOP capabilities.

New to vWorkspace is full integration and automation with Parallels Virtuozzo Containers, the OS-level server virtualization solution for desktop deployments with native scalable single image management capabilities and minimal storage requirements.

Quest vWorkspace simultaneously supports and fully integrates and automates application delivery, desktop deployment, and management from Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware ESX, Virtual Iron and Parallels Virtuozzo Containers.

Microsoft MED-V Now In Public Beta

January 19, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

In the beginning of this month, we explained the difference between Microsoft’s App-V and MED-V.

Last week, Microsoft announced the release of the public beta of Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V), formerly known as Kidaro Managed Workspace, a solution that is designed to essentially help enterprise organizations run older operating systems and applications on new Windows-based systems.

According to the company, MED-V can be used to give companies more time with their legacy operating systems and software applications while they upgrade their Windows environment. As an example, IT shops can continue to run Windows XP-based applications even while they upgrade to Vista.

Alessandro offers more information.

Research and Markets’ Latest Report: “Vendor Landscape: Virtualization Competition Heats Up”

January 19, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Via VMBlog comes word of a new report from Research and Markets titled: “Vendor Landscape: Virtualization Competition Heats Up”:

“VMware retains its leadership position in this updated vendor landscape of virtualization software. However, the virtualization market has seen greatly increased competition in 2008. Microsoft has emerged as a legitimate competitor through its release of the Hyper-V hypervisor and Citrix has stormed onto the scene with its acquisition of XenSource.

This research note provides an overview of the x86 server virtualization landscape and addresses how the vendors meet the following key selection criteria:

-Vendor and product maturity.
-Advanced features and suitability for a utility infrastructure.
-Cost of licensing.

VMware remains in the leadership zone due to its market share and continued innovation toward comprehensive data center virtualization. However, where VMware was the only game in town a few short years ago, now the competition has become serious. Going into 2009, expect continued feature innovation and pressure on pricing. ”

Entire Line Of HP Thin Clients Now Certified for VMware View

January 19, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

HP has announced that its entire line of thin clients is now certified for VMware View, making the products easier for customers to deploy in VMware environments. The certification includes rigorous testing and quality assurance with VMware View for enhanced reliability and ease of deployment.

HP is among the first in the industry to offer customers Linux thin clients certified for VMware View Manager, an enterprise desktop management server that enables IT administrators to quickly provision and tightly control user access. Additionally, HP is currently the only vendor to receive View Manager certification for Windows CE.

HP offers an extensive lineup of Windows and Linux-based thin clients suited for VMware View deployments that deliver a range of performance and features to support a wide variety of user needs – from basic data entry to advanced 3-D imaging and remote collaboration.

Windows-based HP thin clients certified for VMware View Manager, as well as HP ThinPro Linux products are available now at a starting price of $299. HP ThinConnect Linux-based thin clients certified for VMware View Manager are expected to be available Jan. 26, starting at $249.

Are You A vExpert?

January 19, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

“VMware is very proud to introduce the VMware vExpert Awards. The VMware vExpert Awards will be given to individuals who have significantly contributed to the overall community of VMware users over the past year, either online or offline. You might be contributing online to blogs, forums, wikis, or other online sites. You might be organizing VMUG meetings or otherwise getting the word out to local IT professionals. You’re helping spread the word about virtualization and making people successful in deploying this game-changing technology. We want to thank you.”

Nice initiative from VMware, but it was apparently misunderstood by some, as John Troyer points out here:

“I’ve had a number of conversations today that have made it clear to me we have a bit of a misunderstanding. The vExpert awards are not a popularity contest. The awards will be made on the basis of your activities in 2008 for the community. Do not spam all your friends and colleagues asking for testimonials to be sent to the nomination site.

There is no voting. Multiple nominations will not help you. Instead, a committee will look at the hard work you’ve put in spreading the good word about virtualization in 2008, and will pick out the most worthy virtualization advocates. Having hundreds of people submit nominations will just make more work for me, and it’s never a good strategy to piss off the chairman of the judging committee.”