VM /ETC Go Green with Virtualization. Go UGLY Green with vmetc.com.

Businessweek.com reported back in April about how VirtualLogix’s Peter Richards is building a virtualization layer for mobile phones. Virtualization Goes Mobile explains that just like virtualization for the computer, a phone could use virtualization software to simultaneously host multiple operating systems such as RIMM, Symbian, Windows Mobile, or Google Android. Assuming VirtualLogix can work out each individual operating system’s dependencies on their current physical hardware device (qwerty keyboard, touch screens, etc.), imagine finally being able to have just one smart phone on your belt.

So, while we’re fantasizing about the possibility let’s not stop there.

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I’ve heard VMware briefly speak about the Virtual Machine Interface (VMI) standard for the last few years. For example, it seems VMI is always a topic during one or more of the Keynote sessions at VMworld. However. I can’t recall ever hearing about VMI in the real world - that is , hearing about the progress of different operating systems integrating VMI. So, when I read the Techworld article Novell gives Suse kernel a VMware boost it made me realize that the open virtualization standard is alive and well. In fact, after a little research I discovered that popular GNU/Linux distributions now ship with VMI support enabled by default.

First of all, what is VMI? VMware has a couple of web pages on the subject. The Transparent Paravirtualization page provides a good introduction.

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One of the most popular topics of discussion in the virtualization community has always been about installing ESX on a whitebox server. Two of the most popular posts on VM /ETC have been ESX home lab hardware shopping list and Cheap ESX solutions for testing which are both about finding and using hardware not on the VMware HCL that can run ESX. Now, with VMware announcing new relationships with ASUS, Gigabyte, Tyan, Inventec, and Supermicro, ESX 3.5 and ESXi will be certified, supported, and even ship embedded on more server platforms than ever before.

VMware provides a timeframe of availability in the official announcement linked above:

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New Patches have been released for ESX 3.5 / 3i, ESX 3.02, and ESX 3.01. Information from the email notifications I received are copied in this post. Looks like monthly patching has become a reality for VMware. That’s the ultimate proof of success, I guess. If it’s a popular product the chances of it being exploited are increased exponentially. Make sure your Update Manager server is working properly …..

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Remember the movie Minority Report? It starred Tom Cruise as the leader of a “pre-crime” police unit in the future that was responsible for stopping murders before they happened. Pyschics known as “The Precogs” were able to see visions of murders that were about to happen, and images from those visions appeared on a big glass screen. Mr. Cruise could manipulate these images with his hands in order to figure out where and when the crime would take place so he could prevent the killings.

I’m testing your memory because I received the latest WServerNews email the other day and learned that Microsoft demonstrated the new Multi-Touch features that will be part of their next version, currently named Windows 7. Check out this video of the demo.

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VMware announced officially today that Site Recovery Manager will be available for order next week and then generally available within 30 days. As I mentioned in my Site Recovery Manager Overview post last week, a requirement to using SRM will be a Site Recovery Agent (SRA) from the various storage vendors. VMware’s announcement reveals what vendors will provide SRAs initially:

“VMware Site Recovery Manager leverages customers’ investment in storage replication software from VMware’s leading storage partners including 3PAR, Dell, EMC, FalconStor, Hitachi Data Systems, HP, IBM, LeftHand Networks and NetApp. VMware is working with partners across its storage partner ecosystem to ensure that customers can use Site Recovery Manager with their storage system and software platform of choice.”

As expected, several reports surfaced on the Internet today

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According to the America VMware VIP Partner Newsletter - April 2008 email I just received, ESX 3.5 can be installed on single processor servers. From the email:

“Effective immediately, customers may install VMware ESX and VI licenses on single processor, physical hosts that are included on our Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). This includes servers with two sockets that are populated with a single processor. Each processor may contain up to four cores. Please note that licenses of VMware ESX and VI are still sold in minimum increments of two processors. With this announcement, VMware is clarifying that a two processor license grant may now be split and used on two, single processor, physical hosts.”

More information can also be found

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First reported by theinquirer.net in the March 14 article Dell set to absorb price of ESX3i hypervisor, it appears Dell will be offering ESX 3i for free when purchasing PowerEdge servers. Virtualization.info posted Dell to give VMware ESX Server 3i for free? the following day which was then followed by a few other blogs reacting to the news with similar posts. Although the announcement of this possibility was, and still is, exciting, the comments posted by readers and bloggers have been very insightful and interesting.

Comments from theinquirer.net’s article:

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VMworld 2008 will be at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV September 15 - 18. You can go to the VMworld 2008 Pre-Registration page to sign up to be notified when official registration is open.

VMware is expecting more than 12,000 attendees this year!

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New ESX 3.0.1 /3.0.2 patches released on 03/06/08. Here’s the email notification I received:

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Subject: ESX Server 3.0.1 / 3.0.2 - New Patches Available
Release Date: 03/06/08
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New patches are available for ESX Server 3.0.1 and ESX Server 3.0.2. Please follow the instructions on the

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Australian VAC Partner Oriel has created a clever Virtualization Calculator that illustrates how virtualization is good for the planet. Based on the statistic that the average 2 cpu server produces 12.5 tons of CO2 per year, the calculator not only tells you how much money you can save in hardware and power but it also provides comparable environmental benefit examples such as planting trees, reduced car emmissions, and reduced cow emissions.

I entered 200 servers in the calculator and received the following results (click on the screen shot to see a larger image):

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The Lone Server is a funny video found on YouTube about a Windows 2003 Server that has realized his prime has passed. He ends up in a bar ordering drinks from Windows 2000 Server. The two discuss how they can no longer hang with the young and quick Server 2008 crowd. While discussing some of the Server 2008 features virtualization is mentioned and Server 2003 stands up and leans against two bar stools and proclaims “Look, I can virtualize. I am using two stools at once.” Finally, a young, hot Server 2008 walks by and Server 2003 tries to impress her by bragging about having the latest virus definitions. To Server 2003’s dismay, her reply is “Call me when you upgrade.”

Watch the video embedded here:

www.loneserver.com is a page from the Windows Server Division WebLog dedicated to The Lone Server story.

Go here to see the video on YouTube.com as well.

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