Bake-off: 4 Virtualization Suites (In One Review!)

The Bottom Line
While all four virtualization solutions accommodate the needs of IT development, VMware stood above the others for providing the best end-to-end virtualized environment specifically designed for development.

The biggest challenge for IT is to build communications between a large team working on the same development project. VMware's ESX server is built for that, including the most features by far. XenSource's XenServer is the simplest product to use and has new features that enable it to compete on a more level playing field with VMware and SWsoft. XenEnterprise is price-competitive and also scales higher than VMware's enterprise solution.

SWsoft offers an interface that's easy to understand, but its capabilities don't rise to the level many development teams would require. Virtual Iron's interface just wasn't friendly enough for engineers to build simple workflows.

Simply put, systems integrators and application providers can certainly use all four products to develop and test systems but on more complex distributed infrastructures, they will be hard-pressed to meet deadlines without VMware's Lab Manager to monitor workflow, integration schedules and code assets.

Shopping The Ingredients

VENDOR: SWsoft Herndon, Va. (703) 815-5670 www.swsoft.com • PRODUCT: SWsoft Virtuozzo • LIST PRICE: Virtualization core license, $1,250/CPU; management tools, $1,000/seat. • PARTNER INCENTIVES: 15% tp 35% margins, MDFs, professional services. • PROGRAM PARTNERS: 80 in U.S. • PROGRAM COSTS: Training costs $3K plus travel expenses. • DISTRIBUTORS: Software House Intl., Tech Data.

VENDOR: Virtual Iron Software Lowell, Mass. (978) 849-1200 www.virtualiron.com • PRODUCT: Virtual Iron Enterprise Edition • LIST PRICE: $499 per processor. • PARTNER INCENTIVES: 25% discount for Premier Partners, access to joint marketing funds. • PROGRAM PARTNERS: 95 in U.S. • PROGRAM COSTS: None. • DISTRIBUTORS: Tech Data.

VENDOR: VMware Palo Alto, Calif. (877) 486-9273 www.vmware.com • PRODUCT: VMware Infrastructure 3 • LIST PRICE: Starting at $1,000. • PARTNER INCENTIVES: Did not disclose due to IPO. • PROGRAM PARTNERS: Thousands in U.S. • PROGRAMS COSTS: Did not disclose due to IPO. • DISTRIBUTORS: AltTech, Ingram Micro, LifeBoat

VENDOR: XenSource Palo Alto, Calif. (650) 798-5900 www.xensource.com • PRODUCT: XenEnterprise 4.0 • LIST PRICE: $1,250. • PARTNER INCENTIVES: 15% tp 30% margins, professional services. • PROGRAM PARTNERS: 150 in U.S. • PROGRAMS COSTS: $1,200. • DISTRIBUTORS: Tech Data