VMware Software Partitions Wintel Servers Into Multiple Virtual Servers

IBM touts the ability to virtualize Linux on its mainframes, and Sun Microsystems can virtualize Solaris servers on its E-10000s. Starting on Monday, a small software developer is offering solution providers software to virtualize Windows servers on plain, out-of-the-box Wintel hardware.

VMware, based here, released its VMware GSX Server, an application that allows standard Intel-based servers to be partitioned into up to four virtual Windows servers per processor.

The aim is to consolidate multiple servers into a single box to cut back on rack space while increasing reliability, says Eric Horschman, the company's product marketing director.

While Intel-based servers are extremely reliable, most failures in the NT space are due to application failures, says Susan Thomas, vice president of marketing. Running multiple applications on a server may lead to contention, she says.

However, running multiple virtual machines on a physical server allows the operating system and application to remain protected even if one of the virtual servers goes down, Thomas says. "Some inherent instability is masked with virtual machines," she says.

Because of that instability, it is common to purchase multiple low-end, rack-mount servers, Thomas says. "But people tell us that they are utilizing only 10 [percent] to 35 percent of the typical server's capabilities," she says.

VMware is selling the GSX Server software direct and via distributors and solution partners, with about half of the sales going indirect. The company is looking to recruit solution providers with experience with server consolidation and those that develop, test, and deploy applications over multiple operating systems, she says.

The application can be used to deploy as many virtual servers as desired, says Horschman. The recommended maximum is four virtual servers per CPU, but more can be deployed if they are used for light loads, he says.

List price for the software is $2,499 per physical server. Solution providers can get a 25 percent margin if they commit to purchasing $25,000 in annual sales.