Yesterday evening Richard Jones and I received word from Microsoft that VMware had joined the Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP) and I expect an official announcement to come later today.
VMware has now signed on to the SVVP program. Microsoft is certainly excited to add VMware to the program, recognizing the value this provides to Microsoft customers. – Microsoft
This is a really big deal and both vendors should be congratulated on the work it took to make this happen. Once the news is made official, Microsoft applications and operating systems will be fully supported on VMware-based virtualization environments.
Other vendors should take note of Microsoft’s support model, as Microsoft supports more virtualization platforms than any other vendor by a hefty margin. Here are the platforms now supported by Microsoft:
- Citrix (XenServer)
- Microsoft (Virtual Server 2005, Hyper-V)
- Novell (Xen)
- Sun (xVM Server)
- Virtual Iron
- VMware (ESX Server, ESXi)
Microsoft and VMware had been working diligently for several months on the completion of their support agreement and VMware’s inclusion in the SVVP. We’re just weeks away from Microsoft’s Virtualization launch event and I’m expecting more good news to come out of Redmond at the launch event as well. Microsoft’s official support of virtualization platforms from six different vendors should further accelerate virtualization adoptions throughout 2008 and into 2009.
#1 by FlyITGuy - August 19th, 2008 at 17:43
Chris –
The information on Microsoft’s website does not (yet) show VMWare. Will they be added in the future.
#2 by Chris - August 19th, 2008 at 18:11
Hi FlyITGuy. I expect the announcement to come very soon. In fact, I’m surprised that it hasn’t already.
#3 by James O’Neill - August 20th, 2008 at 03:25
Chris, just to be clear, joining the program is a commitment to get the software validated. Microsoft have committed to support validated software. It doesn’t mean all products from a participating vendor will be supported.
And whilst your sources may be good (though a leak like this won’t do them any favors), I’m going to wait for the official announcement before hanging out the flags :-) Still, if we (Microsoft) and they (VMware) can behave in a grown-up way for the benefit of our mutual customers then it is worth hanging out the flags for.
#4 by Chris - August 20th, 2008 at 11:41
Thanks, James. I tried to be cautious with the news myself. When I first heard, I went back and asked when it would be appropriate to share, and was told to wait until after midnight on Monday. I was under the impression that an official announcement was coming Tuesday morning at the very latest. I always respect vendor confidentiality and would never disclose anything without prior authorization. To me, that’s the line between press and analyst. If I’m to be trusted to advise a vendor, then I have to hold onto that vendor’s secrets too, and trust is a large part of my job. You’re right about hanging out the flags. Whenever the IT community benefits as a whole, such events are worthy of a celebration. I hope you will be at the virtualization launch and we get a chance to meet in person.