VMWare Gets Agressive
Virtualization — running one operating system instance on top of a different instance — is about to explode. VMWare was the pioneer of this idea on PCs (IBM did it on mainframes eons ago). Now VMWare has decided to give away GSX Server, one of it’s crown jewels.
They are dumb like a fox. It’s like handing out dope outside a schoolyard. They’ll get people hooked on GSX, then switch them to the more flexible and expensive ESX Server.
[tease]
Most of these virtualization software projects are getting a boost from new processor features. Intel Virtualization Technology–code-named Vanderpool and now emerging in server processors–accelerates some operations and makes it possible to run Windows on Xen without modifications to Windows that otherwise would be necessary.
AMD’s rival technology, code-named Pacifica, is scheduled to arrive later this year in the company’s “Rev F” Opteron models.
I could be wrong, but I think one significant advantage of the continuing advances in CPU power will be making virtualization practical for a much bigger set of users. Personally, I want to run Windows and Linux on the same laptop, and be able to seamlessly go from one to the other.
I don’t want one at a time (dual boot) I want them both active, with good performance for both OS environments. The new virtualization-aware CPUs will help make my dream come true.
[via tech.memeorandum]