VM /ETC

Posts Tagged ‘Sun’

On 12.17.08 Sun released it’s latest version of VirtulaBox with some major new features. I’ve blogged about VirtualBox as a free, open source alternative to VMware Workstation 6.5 in the past, and latest version, VirtualBox 2.1, keeps Sun xVM in pace as a serious contender in the hosted desktop virtualization platform market. VMware has offered some significant discounts on Workstation recently, but you just can’t beat the cost of VirtualBox – absolutely free!

From Sun’s official release announcement:

“Users of xVM VirtualBox 2.1 software will benefit from significant improvements in graphics and network performance, easier configuration, hardware platform support for the latest processors and additional interoperability”

VMware Workstation still has some unique features like Ace Packaging, VM record and replay, and integrated remote debugging. However, if you just need to get a few VMs up and running for casual use or a temporary lab scenario Virtualbox provides most all of the same VMware Workstation conveniences.

Slashdot.org posted about VirtualBox 2.1 on Dec. 22, and the user comments provide a great “back and forth” about the comparison between VMware Workstation and VirtualBox features.

Probably the new feature that I find to be the most exciting in version 2.1 is the Read the rest of this entry »

A lot more will be known about the open source, bare metal installed xVM Server after Sun’s scheduled event today, but for now some quick pre release screen shots and general information is available at xvmserver.org. xVM Server promises to be a free virtualization platform alternative based on Xen and Solaris technologies that can be managed via a web interface. Judging by the growing popularity of Sun’s desktop virtualization product, xVM Virtualbox, the availability of xVM Server should be an exciting new option for administrators looking to consolidate physical data centers today.

Taken directly from the xvmserver.org site, the following is some quick information: Read the rest of this entry »

It’s the week before VMworld and a lot is happening outside of VMware. I’ve already posted about Microsoft’s Virtualization Launch stealing the spot light before VMworld, and now Sun has announced it’s intentions to do the same. In fact, after allowing just enough time for the hype from the event in Bellevue, WA on Monday to fade, Sun plans on announcing it’s xVM Portfolio on Wednesday (September 10). Although not quite the party that Microsoft and VMware are throwing, Sun’s live web presentation and chat scheduled for 9 a.m. PST should be exciting as they are introducing the bigger picture for Sun xVM, and how Sun xVM Ops Center, Sun xVM Server, Sun xVM VDI, and Sun xVM VirtualBox fit together.

More information on Sun’s virtualization products is available on the xVM web page. Taken from this page, here is a brief summary of the products in the xVM Portfolio.

Personally I am very interested in the Read the rest of this entry »