Microsoft has announced plans for new virtualisation
software and is to acquire specialist firm Softricity to boost its
product range.
The software giant said a beta release of its Windows Server
virtualisation software was “on track” to be available by the end
of the year, alongside the forthcoming Windows Server “Longhorn”
operating system.
The package is designed to offer increased server utilisation,
centralised management of virtual machine infrastructure and rapid
provisioning of new virtual machines.
Microsoft also announced that System Center Virtual Machine
Manager – formerly codenamed “Carmine” – would be available as a
beta release within 90 days.
Virtual Machine Manager will offer a centralised, enterprise
management system for virtualised datacentres. It is aimed at
meeting demand for more efficient hardware utilisation.
Microsoft intends to buy Softricity, maker of the SoftGrid
Desktop Virtualisation Platform, which can turn most Windows
applications into a services using application virtualisation and
streaming software technologies.
The technology allows applications to be installed and managed
centrally and delivered directly to users’ desktops in contained,
virtualised images – a system that is expected to reduce the total
cost of ownership for businesses using Windows across many
desktops.