| Linux, Mac OS X and Windows: Oh, my, Parallels Server beta arrives |
Jan. 11, 2008
Want to run Mac OS X, Linux and Windows on the same machine? Then you’ll want to listen to SWsoft. This virtualization company claims its Parallels Server will let you run all these and more.
The one gotcha, as Apple watchers could have predicted, is that you can run Mac OS X only on Apple PCs or servers. It's not that technically you couldn't do it. It's that Apple will come down on anyone trying to run full Mac OS X on generic Intel or AMD hardware like the proverbial ton of bricks.
That said, in this beta, which was announced Jan. 9, SWsoft claims you can run multiple copies of "more than 50 different guest operating systems including Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Red Hat Linux, SUSE Enterprise Linux, and Sun Solaris simultaneously in isolated virtual machines." And, of course, if you have a Mac, you can add Mac OS X to that list as well.
This beta virtualization program takes a different twist from such virtualization programs as VMware or VirtualBox. Instead of taking one approach to virtualization, Parallels Server offers administrators two different ways to virtualize operating systems.
With it, you can either run VMs with the host operating system, which can be most 32- or 64-bit versions of Windows, Linux or Mac OS, or run it on “bare metal.” In the latter case, there is no main operating system. You must decide which way to go when you install the virtualization program. SWsoft claims—correctly, as far as we can tell—to be the only virtualization program that offers this choice to users.
SWsoft, soon to change its name to Parallels also claims to be "the first to offer support for Intel’s second-generation virtualization technology,VT-d (Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O)." Here, its claim is shakier. Work is also being done by Linux kernel developers in their kernel virtualization system and by Xen.
In any case, the point is almost moot. Only now has Intel started shipping this technology in its new Xeon processor series 5400 (aka Harpertown) and the 5400 chip set (aka Seaburg). Once these and other chips with VT-d start shipping in volume, most, if not all, virtualization software will support it.
SWsoft also makes it clear that one of its target markets are system administrators who run Mac OS X servers instead of the far more popular Linux or Windows servers. With Parallels Server, SWsoft claims Mac OS X administrators can run multiple instances of Mac OS X Server as well as heavy-duty server applications from Microsoft, such as SQL Server and Exchange Server.
In addition, SWsoft claims that it will make it much easier for Mac OS X administrators to test applications in "sandboxed" Mac OS X Server VMs. While this kind of testing is commonplace in Linux and Windows, it's far less common in the Mac universe.
What does all this lead up to? According to SWsoft, "coupled with Parallels Desktop for Mac ... Parallels Server presents businesses with a unique opportunity to standardize on Apple desktop and server hardware while still having access to applications written for any operating system." In short, a software world that runs everything on Mac hardware.
Want to explore such a future? The program is in private beta at this time. You can apply to test it for yourself by going to the Parallels beta site.
—Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
Do you have comments on this story?
Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!
Related Stories: |
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed