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Free fake computers!
February 03, 2006
If there's anything better than being able to turn one computer into a bunch of computers, it's being able to do it for free. So companies should welcome VMware's decision to distribute a free version of its industry-leading server virtualization software. The move should spur the adoption of virtualization and hence the arrival of the more efficient, more flexible utility architecture for corporate IT.
Of course, VMware isn't giving away its software out of the kindness of its heart. It's facing stiffer competition from open-source up-and-comer XenSource, not to mention Microsoft. A free version of its code will help keep the rivals at bay. Also, the free version - GSX Server - is what might be called Virtualization Lite. Like an application, it runs on top of a host operating system like Windows or Linux. VMware's core product, ESX Server, doesn't require a host - and thus allows even greater flexibility in the deployment of server hardware. VMware clearly hopes that, after tasting the benefits of virtualization, customers will pony up for ESX.
VMware's parent, storage giant EMC, also stands to benefit. By acquiring VMware and, more recently, Acxiom's software for grid computing, EMC is quietly positioning itself to be a force in utility computing. It's been perceived to be at a disadvantage here because it doesn't make servers - unlike, say, IBM, HP and Sun. But VMware is its ace in the hole. Creating virtual servers may in the end be a lot more valuable than building the boxes they run on. By making virtualization free, EMC further commoditizes the computer, remaking the market to its own advantage.
Now, if they could only come up with a new name for "virtualization." The IT world can't seem to come to grips with The One Abiding and Universal Law of Marketing: six syllables is three syllables too many.
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Comments
EMC as utility provider? Take a major change in their DNA. A number of CIOs would rate EMC as one of their more difficult vendors to negotiate against
TLA or three syllables - did I mention at Gartner we had coded a random TLA generator? ERP, Y2K, CRM...but we missed DNA...
Posted by: vinnie mirchandani at February 3, 2006 10:52 AM
It may be released for free but it is not open source. I don't see how it can fend off the open source rivals in the long run.
Posted by: theCreator at February 4, 2006 11:25 AM
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