Microsoft's Virtualization roadmap

Microsoft to acquire Softricity Inc., a leader in application virtualization

solutions within the virtualization space.

Microsoft puts Windows Server virtualization and System Center Virtual

Machine Manager on the fast track, and announces the intent to acquire

Softricity Inc., a leader in application virtualization solutions within the

virtualization space

Microsoft on Monday announced the strategic acquisition of two new product

updates in its efforts to push towards server virtualization as a consolidation and migration strategy.

The company announced the purchase of Softricity, a privately held, Boston-based developer of virtualization technology that works with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, formerly known as Server Management System, or

SMS.

Virtualization is a key technology for reducing the cost and complexity of IT management, and Microsoft has committed significant resources to making

virtualization more broadly accessible and affordable for customers. Also coming from the company is virtualization technology with the Windows Longhorn Server, due next year, and a new virtual machine technology that works with System Center Configuration Manager.

Virtualization has become an increasingly popular solution in a world where power and cooling hundreds or thousands of Intel-based servers is a major headache. It's also allows a very powerful computer to run multiple operating systems at the same time and coordinate in sharing system resources without causing conflicts, such as two applications trying to use the same device at the same time, which would likely cause a crash.






Updates on Microsoft's new virtualization solutions:

Windows Server virtualization: Microsoft's hypervisor-based solution is on track to be available with the upcoming Microsoft Windows Server “Longhorn” operating system. Microsoft anticipates having a beta release of Windows Server virtualization by the end of 2006 and plans to release to manufacturing (RTM) within 180 days of Windows Server “Longhorn” RTM.






Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager: Formerly code-named “Carmine,” this technology is a centralized, enterprise management solution for the virtualized data center. System Center Virtual Machine Manager is part of the System Center family of products and is due for beta release within the next 90 days. Microsoft anticipates release to manufacturing (RTM) in the second half of 2007.





Intent to acquire Softricity, Inc: Softricity's application virtualization and streaming technologies provide application compatibility and accelerate corporate desktop transitions to Windows Vista.

The above solutions will provide a comprehensive and well-managed

virtualization solution for customers across servers and desktops.

The efforts of Microsoft is to accelerate the delivery of virtualization solutions, which includes also in engaging with industry partners, such as AMD and Intel to bring customers hardware-assisted virtualization in Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1. Microsoft is also collaborating with Intel on the design and specification of Intel Virtualization for Directed I/O (Intel VT-d), as well as working closely with AMD to help pave the way for a new class of innovation, such as AMD's I/O virtualization technology.

On the OEM front, HP, Dell and IBM have given their support for Microsoft's virtualization strategy.