A big missing point in the Microsoft virtualization strategy is the enterprise management capability.
At today there is a MOM 2005 Management Pack to handle some tasks, but there isn’t a product created for specific virtualization needs (like rationalized provisioning).
Now CRN reports Microsoft is working on a new product called Virtual Server Manager (codename Carmine):
Microsoft is preparing a Virtual Server Manager code-named Carmine that will enable users to add, move and manage virtual machines on its virtualization platform.
The product, currently called Microsoft Virtual Server Manager, will allow broad support for administration via “Monad,” Microsoft’s next-generation scripting platform for Window Longhorn Server and Exchange 12, according to Microsoft’s Web site.
Other sources in the partner community familar with Carmine said it willl contain some of the basic features of VMware’s management capabilities in VirtualCenter, but it won’t be as sophisticated.
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Microsoft Virtual Server Manager will allow users and partners to add, remove, drag and drop, and patch a virtual machine without “too much” downtime, he added…
Read the whole article at source.
At this time it’s not clear if codename Carmine will be able to manage just Windows Hypervisor (codename Viridian) platforms or also Virtual Server 2005 R2 installations.