Microsoft Virtualization Announcements today
As I blogged about on Tuesday, we held a Virtualization Desktop Hour event today online where we made some announcements regarding where Microsoft is going with our Virtualization platform. I was down in Limerick on Tuesday talking with Partners and whether it’s folks in small, medium or the enterprise, they appreciate the new capabilities in Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V and the free Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2. Those capabilities are only getting better with the release of Service Pack 1 for Windows Sever 2008 R2 and Windows 7, here is an overview:
• New VDI promotions available for qualified customers to choose from today. Microsoft and Citrix Systems are offering the “Rescue for VMware VDI” promotion , which allows VMware View customers to trade in up to 500 licenses at no additional cost, and the “VDI Kick Start” promotion , which offers new customers a more than 50 percent discount off the estimated retail price. Eligibility and other details on the two promotions can be found at https://www.citrixandmicrosoft.com .
• Improved licensing model for virtual Windows desktop. Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance customers will no longer have to buy a separate license to access their Windows operating system in a VDI environment , as virtual desktop access rights now will be a Software Assurance benefit. [Note the new name VDA is what we used to call VECD.]
• New roaming use rights improve flexibility. Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance and new Virtual Desktop Access license customers will have the right to access their virtual Windows desktop and their Microsoft Office applications hosted on VDI technology on secondary, non-corporate network devices, such as home PCs and kiosks.
• Windows XP Mode no longer requires hardware virtualization technology. This change simplifies the experience by making virtualization more accessible to many more PCs for small and midsize businesses wanting to migrate to Windows 7 Professional or higher editions, while still running Windows XP-based productivity applications.
• Two new features coming in Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack 1 . Microsoft Dynamic Memory will allow customers to adjust memory of a guest virtual machine on demand to maximize server hardware use. Microsoft RemoteFX will enable users of virtual desktops and applications to receive a rich 3-D, multimedia experience while accessing information remotely. [Note the new name RemoteFx is the technology we acquired with the purchase of Calista.]
• New technology agreement with Citrix Systems. The companies will work together to enable the high-definition HDX technology in Citrix XenDesktop to enhance and extend the capabilities of the Microsoft RemoteFX platform.
While this is great news, it is dependant on the release of SP1 and we have not announced a release date yet for this. I think it is important that we give customers a view of the product roadmap, and that is what was done today. When making an investment in a Virtualization solution, it is important to know what you are getting today as well as what new features and options you will have in the coming months.
Happy Virtualizing
