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ESX Server, like the newly free VMware Server product, lets multiple operating systems run simultaneously on the same x86-based server, a feature that permits more efficient use of computing resources. ESX server runs atop a thin level of virtualization software, a technique that permits higher performance and more computing capacity than the VMware Server product, which runs atop a Windows or Linux host operating system.
As VMware has grown--it reported revenue of $115 million in the fourth quarter of 2005--its products have expanded from basic virtualization to higher-level software built on the basic foundation. For example, the VMotion software that runs atop ESX server lets a virtual machine, which consists of an operating system and its applications, be moved from one computer to another while still running.
The new ESX Server 3.0 beta continues this higher-end trend. It includes features for balancing computing loads within a group of virtual machines, as well as data backup and cluster management, VMware President Diane Greene said Thursday in a meeting with reporters. The company also said earlier that the version will support virtual machines that span four processors, double that of the current Virtual SMP feature.
However, the final version of the product could arrive later than expected. In 2005, VMware said ESX Server 3.0 would arrive in the first quarter of 2006, but the company now is giving itself until the end of the second quarter, a company representative said.
VMware began a limited beta last year, but starting next week, 2,700 will begin the ESX Server 3.0 trial version, the company said.
More than three out of four copies of ESX Server ship with a bundle called the Virtual Infrastructure Node, said Brian Byun, vice president of strategic alliances and business development. VIN includes Virtual SMP, VMotion and the ability to plug into the VirtualCenter management software.
VMware faces competition from open-source Xen, a package backed by several major computing companies, and from Microsoft's Virtual Server product. But the company is counting on expanding its customer base through the release of the free VMware Server product. More than 60,000 copies were downloaded in the first four days, Byun said.
Getting the software into potential customers' hands is key to the company. About 85 percent of those who evaluate the software go on to buy it, Greene said.
ESX costs $3,750 for a dual-processor server; moving to VIN raises the price to $5,000.
See more CNET content tagged:
VMWare ESX Server, VMware, EMC Corp., virtual machine, virtualization
The hope of the management is to have loads of people talk about and install the free VMware Server (aka GSX is a new look). Talk and spread the word even further.
Second and more important issue (IMO) is to start running applications that are crucial to your business in your test/development environment. Telling your management about it and convincing them that it really is time to think about taming these elecrticity/Airco hogging monsters by minimizing the server count.
I have seen a similar effect when I started writing articles using VMware WorkStation and Trial version of GSX Server for Oracle 10g Release 2 RAC on http://dbasuport.com/ and http://databasejournal.com (both daughter sites of Jupitermedia Inc.)
Since then I see lots of users are beginning to test /develop such setups in their VMware environments and I'm sure they're also talking about it.
That way you will have new customers who will move confidently into their production environment with VMware ESX Servers.
in the works, but when will it be out?