Microsoft Virtual Server 2004 Inches Toward Release

Microsoft Virtual Server 2004 to enter private beta testing stage, Wednesday, Microsoft said the product would be generally available in the first half of this year.

Virtual Server 2004 is based on the technology has not been made public, Microsoft acquired by the Corporation in the Connectix in February 2003. Since Microsoft launched its own brand version of the Connectix Virtual two of the products, shipping, respectively, at the time of acquisition: Microsoft Virtual PC and Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac.

Virtualization technology allows a single physical system in multiple virtual systems, each appears to control the underlying hardware. Microsoft server products to encourage the implementation of windows as a host operating system and allows other operating systems running under the guests, site mainframe systems.

Market-leading server virtualization product is VMware, now owned by EMCs VMware is shipping two server platforms. Gsx servers running the mainframe operating system, server operating systems. ESX server has its own micro-kernel, there is no host operating system needs.

VMware positions, the use of the software installed in the data center, server consolidation, as well as software development and testing. At the same time, Microsoft stressed that a more specific application of this technology turning point. The companys main focus is on migration from Windows NT 4.0 to Windows Server 2003. Circumstances, Windows NT 4.0 applications may not be able to run on Windows Server 2003, they can be the guests on a Windows Server 2003 system. Microsoft also position Virtual Server as a platform for server consolidation.

General Availability for Microsofts Virtual Server in the first half of 2004 is a slight delay. When Microsoft acquired the technology, the company expected Virtual Server to ship by the end of 2003. However, Microsoft originally part of a bill to release the software by the end of 2003 will be included in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. SP1, which will now include many security changes, is expected to be held in the second half of 2004.