| VMware Server goes free (but not open) |
Feb. 06, 2006
As expected, VMware Inc. announced on February 6th that it was releasing a no-cost version of its VMware Server line.
While not open-source, this entry-level virtualization server enables users to partition x86 and x86-64 Linux and Windows servers into multiple virtual machines (VMs). Server administrators can either roll their own servers or use such pre-built servers as IBM WSE (Workplace Services Express), MySQL, or Oracle 10G.
The company also claims that VMware Server can be used to host legacy OSes such as Windows NT Server 4.0 and Windows 2000 Server.
The server VMware is offering is actually a beta release of VMware Server. This, in turn, is the successor program to the company's entry-level VM server, VMware GSX.
GSX has been listing for $1,694 for a dual-CPU license, and $3,388 for an unlimited processor license with a twelve-month support and subscription license. VMware Server, in contrast, costs nothing, but comes with no support, and can be used on systems with up to eight processors.
The final version of VMware Server is scheduled to appear in the first half of 2006. At that time, the firm will also offer paid support and subscription options.
VMware is positioning the new free release as a stepping stone to its VMware Virtual Infrastructure line of servers. These include ESX Server for data centers and VirtualCenter for centralized server management.
"With VMware Server, we are ensuring that every company interested in, considering or evaluating server virtualization for the first time has access to the industry-leading virtualization technology," VMware president Diane Greene stated. "VMware Server makes it easy and compelling for companies new to virtualization to take the first step toward enterprise-wide virtual infrastructure."
This follows VMware making its VM software for desktops, VMware Player, free to end-users.
Virtualization has recently become a very hot, if sometimes confusing, technology for businesses. So why is VMware making its entry-level server free?
According to, Laura DiDio, a Yankee Group research fellow, "VMware's decision to offer its GSX Server free is prompted by two things: a desire to spur demand for its product and to ensure that the VMware offerings remain the virtualization software of choice as the market heats up; and to further differentiate its offering from Microsoft."
"We're starting to see more of this in the high tech arena," continued DiDio. "Last fall Sun Microsystems initiated a similarly bold move when it opted to make its Solaris operating system free for customers who have one-, two- and four processor servers."
"In Sun's case, the company wants to stem the tide of defections from the SPARC/Solaris platform to Linux and dramatic pricing moves are one way to accomplish that goal. In VMware's case, the decision to give away the more entry level GSX Server is a powerful lure to get businesses to try the product, install it, preclude Microsoft from getting the customer win and hope that corporations will upgrade to the more powerful VMware ESX Server," said DiDio.
"Any way you look at it, it's a smart business move. Now the question is: will Microsoft respond?," Didio added.
Stacey Quandt, research director at the Aberdeen Group, has a slightly different take.
"VMware faces increasing competition from Xen and it is offering a free entry-level hosted virtualization product for Linux and Windows servers. This is a beta-version designed to entice users to become paying customers."
Indeed, two other companies are busy releasing interesting news for the virtualization market. SWsoft announced the release of Virtuozzo for Linux 3.0. Virtual Iron Software, meanwhile, announced that its data center virtualization and management platform is now shipping in Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9, which includes a pre-configured kernel for Virtual Iron's data center virtualization and management platform.
--Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
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