Well coming Monday all the Virtualization experts, enthusiasts and novices will be waiting to apply for the beta trial and testing. So what's the deal?
Well VMware is going to give away it's GSX type but even better in terms of VT (Virtualization technology which is called Vanderpool by Intel and Pacifica by AMD)
Quote from Register
The VMware Server, for example, has a feature not even present in GSX Server. It supports Intel's VT technology for improving virtualization performance. In addition, it supports 64-bit guest operating systems - including Solaris x86 - and has support for virtual SMPs. So, it's not just some crippled, low-end product.
So no cheap low end product this. Apparently the Register guys were very confident of the link to the server as well and have given all the folks to ping/poll this VMware Server url until Sunday midnight.
Inquirer says it rather plainly "VMware gives it away".
VMware says that it is out there to educate the folks on Virtualization and there is indeed a huge need and also market (think effective consulting) where you really build a client's situation and let him have the view of how easy and better it is to run virtualization technology. You won't need to hire extra folks to monitor servers/services and probably reduce the influx of machines into your shop. I say, better start by all the shops who are not aware of virtualization and are even forced to think to off shore their activities.
So VMware might (I'd say should) start with the marketing as
"Don't Off Shore, Virtualize!!!"
Anyways competition is good. Xen and Microsoft are also fighting for a place in the Virtualization Arena. But this will certainly be worrisome to some.
With business spending to mount to 15$ Billion by 2009, there must be a battle plan and the battle must be fought effectively.
Anyways this is indeed a great news for developers as well and inside techies who will eventually tell their managements that...
OK let's just run a typical scenario in a typical shop. Shop is called VirtuallyYours Inc. and the Systems Engineer is talking to his Manager (VirtuallyConfused)
Manager: We need to migrate Exchange 2000 to 2003 (He doesn't know that it's just an upgrade which you need to run, but anyways), what all do we need?
Sys.Engr: (Thinking: Hmm time to talk about that free VMware Server which I'm using all these days and saving this guy loads of money on Developments, he never seemed to care so it's time to tell about it now, but how? how?)Well given the fact that our servers are almost up for a renewal and the new servers are should be 2003 compliant, I need 4 servers (all dual core, 4 way smps) and 2 for OWA.
Manager: (Already confused with all *that* tech talk) Hang on what is it going to cost? I'll call the Account Manager and find out the price. Meanwhile you aren't just planning to do it right away in the production, are you? (Thinking again : I don't care if you do, you geek, You mess up, I can blame you for it!)
Sys.Engr: You want me to? (Yeah Right, I want a Change Request where I can ask all these questions and it's all gonna documented so no way I'm gonna risk my butt)
Manager: No! No! We have a test environment, right?
Sys.Engr: Nope. You might want to double that order and make it 12 machines.
Manager: (Perplexed, squinting his eyes, trying to find what the geek boy has in mind)Hang on. (The Account manager on the line)What? You sure!?!
Manager: (Hangs up the phone, looks at the geek helplessly*) It's going to cost me 250,000 $!!! I don't have that kind of budget!!
Sys.Engr: Well we can use Virtualization Technology, I've been using it free....(Now a seemingly frustrated manager, interrupts him)
Manager: (Hisses back) Not again with that Virtualization crap. What is it anyways? What do you mean by virtual? Meaning I can't see it? How are we going to support our clients? What am I going to tell the project board? And whaddaya mean free? No more of that Open Source free crap in my shop!
Sys.Engr: (Hmmm, Well should I let him go to boiling point or should I not...I'm liking this ) Well VMware has a state of the art free enterprize server which comes with a full support , Should you feel the need to have one. And besides most of my development/test work I have already done using some of our older servers so you don't have to worry about tests? About load tests etc we might need new machines but we can reduce that number by half or even squeeze it upto 20% of the current budget..
Manager: Wait! wait! You mean I can spend a lot lot less there...
Sys.Engr: And even get me a proper development environment.(Something I've been asking for ages, you ...)
Manager: Anyways, I'll take this up to the Project Board and I want you to make a proper powerpoint on this scenario. Talk to the Account Manager and do some TCO and ROI on it? (looks at the Engr.) You know what TCO and ROI is, right?
Sys.Engr: Total Cost......(Rudely interrupted again by the *helpless* boss)
Manager: Ok, fine...Next Monday I need that ...No better yet you will come with me.(Walks away hastily)
Sys.Engr: Ok (Geez, that's a start)
If you're like me and hate too much reading then check out the cartoonified version below. (The text is not complete, I'm working on it)
This is a typical scenario in a lot of shops/organizations. Lot of emotions at play, lot of power play, lot of untapped intellect and resources (just like those servers humming in your production environment) and a lot of misunderstood folks.
I still believe that the message via the VMware player may not have really demonstrated the real use of virtualization (It looked to me like the knoppix kind of linux distro, It's fun to run but I never get onto playing with it. I'd rather pick a regular distro and install it and use it fully!), anyways this product will get a lot of attention and eventually the idea is also to move to production with the VMware Server.
So a smart and calculated move by VMware. And loads of fun for us all in the coming days!
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