Novell and Intel have unveiled a set of drivers that
will allow Microsoft Windows Server 2000/2003/XP platforms to run
unmodified in Xen virtual environments running on SUSE Linux
Enterprise Server 10.
The new drivers will let customers migrate to newer and fewer
energy-efficient servers, consolidating legacy Windows or Linux
solutions onto virtual servers, said the pair.
Jeff Jaffe, Novell chief technology officer, said, “Last
September, we became the first Linux distributor to support
virtualised Linux workloads on Xen, and today we are the first
distributor to support virtualised Windows workloads on Linux.”
Doug Fisher, Intel vice president of the software and solutions
group, said, “Intel has been working with the open source community
to enable Linux virtualisation solutions to take advantage of Intel
Virtualisation Technology, so that guest OS and applications can
run unmodified.
“Getting Windows to run with Linux unmodified and vice versa
will bring an immense confidence boost to IT managers in making
decisions on corporate platform standardisation and refreshes.”
In addition to providing cost savings when virtualising Windows
on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, the drivers can help IT staff
respond faster to business needs by easily creating and
provisioning services on virtual systems, said the two driver
partners.
General availability of the drivers is scheduled for later this
year. Information on an early pilot programme is available at:
www.novell.com/virtualization
Related article:
Xen upgrades virtualisation offering
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