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Microsoft Gives Virtual Nod to Linux By Jay Wrolstad April 5, 2006 8:03AM     "Microsoft has recognized the growing influence of Linux in virtualization, with offerings from VMware and XenSource, and needs some level of support for platforms other than Windows," said IDC analyst Stephen Elliot. "There is a higher risk for Microsoft if they don't collaborate with the Linux community."   Related Topics Microsoft Virtualization Linux Red Hat Novell Latest News Plasma-TV Ban Could Be Costly Barnes & Noble Nook Is Delayed Flat PC Shipments Hurt Dell's Stock Ballmer Says Windows 7 Sales Good New Pogoplug 'Cloud' Gets Social Microsoft is pushing further into the virtualization realm, announcing that its Virtual Server 2005 R2 product will provide support for Linux. In addition, the company is now offering the software as a free download. Virtualization is widely recognized as a way companies can slash I.T. infrastructure costs. By using the technology, I.T. administrators can replace larger, mostly unused servers with smaller, efficient machines that run multiple operating systems. The technology has increasingly become mainstream. A February survey conducted by Forrester found that, of 1,221 businesses with more than 1,000 employees, some 41 percent already had implemented or were planning to implement virtualization software. At this point, Microsoft is trying to keep pace with market leader VMware and the Xen open-source technology adopted by Linux vendors, including Red Hat and Novell. An Emerging Commodity Analysts have said it is only a matter of time before virtualization capabilities are commoditized, as chipmakers like Intel and AMD provide additional support for the technology at the motherboard level. This trend could mean that the battle for the virtualization market could shift entirely to software tools that help manage virtual environments and organize the systems to use the hardware more efficiently. In offering Virtual Server 2005 R2 as a no-charge download, the software giant hopes to remove the barriers to adoption for customers who want to realize the benefits of these systems. Virtual Server currently is used by some 5,000 customers, Microsoft said, with users able to run up to four virtual operating systems on one physical system. Down the road, virtualization will be a key component of the Longhorn server platform. Broader Support Is Key Along with the free software, Microsoft is offering add-ins to run select Red Hat and Novell SuSE Linux distributions. The company also is offering technical support to help customers consolidate their Linux-based applications on Virtual Server 2005 R2. With this move, Redmond hopes to ensure that non-Windows operating systems can run on its Virtual Server software and on its future virtualization products. On another front, Microsoft's Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) licensing program is gaining momentum, the company said, with more than 45 vendors signed up for the royalty-free program, double the number reported six months ago. The VHD technology is designed to capture a virtual operating system and its related application stack in a single file, making the virtualized servers easier to manage. (continued...) 1  |  2  |  Next Page >   Advertisement  Enterprise I.T. 1.   Flat PC Shipments Hurt Dell's Stock 2.   Smartphones: New Security Risks 3.   FBI Says Hackers Targeting Law Firms 4.   Lock-and-Load Security for Your PC 5.   MS Study Sees Growing Worm Threat AMD Unveils Processor Road Map Emphasis will be on graphics, video. Average Rating: Intel Settles with AMD for $1.25B CEO Otellini wants to 'show our side.' Average Rating: Social-Networking Security a Concern Facebook hijacking shows dangers. Average Rating:

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Network Security Spotlight

House Lawmakers Push Ban on Peer-to-Peer Software Stung by an embarrassing electronic leak revealing ethics investigations into dozens of lawmakers, Congress moved to prohibit federal employees from using the file-sharing software blamed for the disclosure.   GAO: Los Alamos Computer Security Has Weaknesses Security weaknesses uncovered in Los Alamos National Laboratory's computer network increase the risk of a classified-information breach, says the Government Accountability Office.   Computer Security Firm Fortinet Plans IPO This Week Fortinet plans to go public in an initial public offering, giving investors a chance to tap a network security provider with sales that are expected to grow. The IPO could be valued at $137.5 million or more.

Enterprise Hardware Spotlight

Flat Shipments Hurt Dell Despite Increased Earnings Dell's earnings are up and expectations are solid, but the company's stock still took a hit after analysts signaled the company isn't playing a key role in the PC market recovery.   New Pogoplug 'Personal Cloud' Does Social Networking Cloud Engines has released its newest version of the Pogoplug, a small "multimedia sharing device" that connects hard drives to the Internet and allows a user to access the files remotely.   Apple Tablet Rumored Delayed as Publisher Gears Up There have been so many rumors of an Apple tablet that it has taken on legendary status. But now the legend is being revised with reports of a delay and that a major publisher is getting ready.

Enterprise Technology Spotlight

Flat Shipments Hurt Dell Despite Increased Earnings Dell's earnings are up and expectations are solid, but the company's stock still took a hit after analysts signaled the company isn't playing a key role in the PC market recovery.   Smartphones: A Bigger Target for Security Threats Smartphones are increasingly prevalent and adept at handling more tasks, including trading stocks, paying bills, and buying stuff online. That makes them attractive to thieves and hackers.   FBI Says Hackers Targeting Law Firms, PR Companies Hackers are targeting law firms and public relations companies with a sophisticated e-mail scheme that breaks into their computer networks to steal sensitive data, often linked to large corporate clients.

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