Apple prepares for Mac OS X Server virtualization

A message appeared in the MacEnterprise mailing list is reporting an unexpected change in the licensing agreement for new Apple Mac OS X Server 10.5 (codename Leopard):

2. Permitted License Uses and Restrictions.

A. Mac OS X Server Software. This License allows you to install and use one copy of the Mac OS X Server software (the “Mac OS X Server Software”) on a single Apple-labeled computer. You may also install and use other copies of Mac OS X Server Software on the same Apple-labeled computer, provided that you acquire an individual and valid license from Apple for each of these other copies of Mac OS X Server Software.

While this is not enough to confirm that Apple is finally allowing its Mac OS to act as a guest OS, it’s the biggest hint so far. A final confirmation may come in January 2008, when Parallels is expected to unveil first beta of its new Server at Apple WWDC conference.

Update: Paralles’ Director of Corporate Communication, Benjamin Rudolph, now confirms that this change will lead to Mac OS X Server virtualization and that Parallels is already working with Apple on this.