Year: 2004

Microsoft will formally launch its long-awaited Virtual Server 2005 early next week, sources said.

The virtualization software, which Microsoft acquired from the former Connectix in February 2003, runs on Windows Server 2003 only but supports Windows NT and Windows 2000 workloads. It will compete with EMC’s VMware and SW-Soft’s Virtuozzo, which allow for server consolidation and simplified management of applications.

Microsoft released the beta version last February and Release Candidate 1 in June. Originally, the Redmond, Wash.-based company hoped to ship an enhanced server by the end of 2003 but delayed it to work out technical issues. The last targeted date for release was mid-2004.

“They’re doing a low-level launch, district by district,” said one source familiar with the company’s plans. “This is largely being driven [by] customers who want this software now. Microsoft would prefer to hang and do a bigger launch, but they’ve been so late they want to do it now. ”

Many customers, including Allstate Insurance and Winn-Dixie, have the final bits in house and have been using the release candidate in production for several months, solution providers said.

Microsoft plans to ship two versions of the virtualization software. The Virtual Server 2005 Standard Edition will support up to four processors, while the Virtual Server 2005 Enterprise Edition will support up to 32 physical processors, Microsoft said.

Intel Active Management Technology, announced at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco, enables IT managers to remotely access every networked computing system, even systems that are powered down, the operating system has locked up or the hard drive has crashed. For IT managers, this greatly improved asset management technology could reduce system downtime, technical assistance visits and operational costs.

“Intel talked with many IT managers and heard a need to enhance the manageability of client and server platforms,” said Bill Siu, Intel vice president and general manager, Desktop Platforms Group. “Intel’s solution provides an innovative and cost-effective solution to one of IT’s major concerns.”

Intel Active Management Technology is integrated into tamper-resistant hardware and firmware to prevent intentional or inadvertent removal of inventory, remote control or virus- protection agents from the systems. The technology features an out-of-band link that is independent of the operating system, allowing IT managers to access a system even if the operating system is inoperative.

“Lacking an effective solution today, IT invests vast sums on managing computing assets, rather than developing and implementing innovative solutions that improve worker productivity and efficiency,” said Siu. “Intel Active Management Technology enables more efficient asset management, reduced downtime and fewer technician visits so that IT budgets can be put to better use.”

Intel Active Management Technology will provide the foundation for new software that will give IT managers more efficient management of their computing systems. At IDF, Altiris Inc, BMC Software, Check Point Software Technologies, Computer Associates and LANDesk Software are showcasing early solutions based on the technology for remote management, security, diagnostic and inventory.

Intel Active Management Technology is the latest in a set of product enhancements designed to address the needs of business end-users, including future security (codenamed LaGrande Technology or LT) and virtualization (codenamed Vanderpool Technology or VT) applications.

Siu said these products are part of Intel’s broader initiative called Digital Office, aimed at addressing the needs of business customers. “Business customers, from the large enterprise to the startup, have complex needs that cannot be remedied with a single new feature,” Siu said. “That’s why Intel is taking a broader approach involving standards, products and technologies. Intel Active Management Technology is a significant first step in Intel’s vision for the Digital Office. Intel has exciting plans for solutions that will make platforms more aware, more connected, more intuitive and more responsive. This is just the beginning.”

Vanderpool will be a way for Intel to encourage companies to buy new PCs, Otellini, Intel President, said: “By putting virtualization and reliability and security into the platform, it can accelerate corporate replacement cycles because it is (offering) a better, cheaper environment” .

Otellini demonstrated one PC using Vanderpool to run office applications, games and voice over Internet Protocol, a computer-aided design application running on Linux and also a virus scanner.

– Cut and Paste Between Platforms

– Share Folders and Removable Media

– Use Both Mac and PC Peripherals

– Zero Configuration Printing

– Better Graphics Handling

– Fast Save

– Virtualization of server and partition resources into functional groupings that make sense to business and IT.

– SLA Management, based on virtualized groups of business systems, matching the system with the business need.

– Intelligent Allocation, using MetiLinx real-time capabilities to allocate traffic and work to the least utilized server or group.

– Charge Back and Reporting, allowing customers the ability to see if their systems are being cost effectively utilized.

“Microsoft has been working closely with Softricity to provide added value for our customers by simplifying large-scale application management, and we’re pleased that Softricity has achieved Certification for Windows Server 2003,” said Barry Kurland, New England General Manager for Microsoft Corp. “This certification gives customers additional confidence about selecting the SoftGrid virtualization platform for Windows application deployment, upgrades, support, patches, terminations and license compliance.”

SoftGrid transforms Windows applications from products that must be installed and managed locally into virtual services that are centrally managed and deployed on-demand — without any recoding — to any desktop, server or laptop. With SoftGrid, applications do not write files directly to the operating system files, but instead redirects them to its virtual “sandbox,” Softricity’s patented protective run-time environment called SystemGuard?, which executes programs without altering the host computer. SoftGrid also uses Softricity’s innovative on-demand delivery technology where applications are delivered in real-time, on an as-needed basis, and can be managed as a .NET-enabled Web service. Softricity has a multi-year Strategic Alliance with Microsoft, and is a Microsoft Terminal Services Industry Partner.

“SoftGrid endured rigorous testing to prove that it measures up to Microsoft’s standards for software running in Windows Server 2003 environments,” said Katrina Teague, Vice President of Marketing and Solutions at VeriTest. “Softricity joins an elite group of software companies that, through this certification, assure their customers of safe and optimum performance throughout the Windows enterprise.”

VeriTest is the only authorized worldwide lab to test applications for Microsoft’s Certified for Windows program. VeriTest and Microsoft have established technical standards for identifying applications that run securely and reliably on the Windows family of operating systems. Microsoft’s Windows Server 2003 certification ensures that SoftGrid seamlessly integrates with Microsoft’s industry-leading server platform, including the industry’s only solution for ensuring compatibility between conflicting applications on Terminal Services.