The "unholy" alliance between Microsoft and Novell inked back in November 2006 with the purpose of producing interoperability and intellectual property assurance designed to bridge the proprietary and open source platform in heterogeneous infrastructures has evolved with the introduction of a Windows and Linux interoperability lab. This step was envisioned by Microsoft and Novell the past fall when the two companies said "I do" to their collaboration agreement. Well, the duo delivered on its initial promise and announced that their Windows and Linux marriage will fully reek in the benefits of the new joint interoperability lab.

"The Microsoft and Novell Interoperability Lab is officially open for business," said Tom Hanrahan, director of Linux interoperability at Microsoft. "We are pleased to be working with Novell on this joint interoperability effort and are eager to roll up our sleeves and continue the challenging technical work required to make Windows Server and SUSE Linux Enterprise interoperability a reality for our customers."

"Today's lab opening is another indicator of the high priority that Novell and Microsoft are giving this collaboration," said Suzanne Forsberg, Interoperability Lab manager for Novell. "This kind of technical interoperability work requires disciplined effort and dedicated resources, and that's what this lab is built around. Enterprise customers are demanding exactly the kinds of interoperable solutions that will be the focus of this lab's work and output."

The Microsoft and Novell Interoperability Lab is located in Cambridge and stretched over no less than 2,500-square-foot of space. With the inauguration of the joint development facility, the two companies will provide common grounds and workforce focused on designing, building and testing software solutions aimed at evolving the interoperability between Windows Server and SUSE Linux Enterprise.

Microsoft revealed that teams from both Redmond and Novell will participate in the joint effort, and that, initially, emphasis will be placed on developing virtualization technologies. "Standards-based systems management, identity federation and compatibility of office document formats" are also projects planned at the Microsoft and Novell Interoperability Lab.