More Than Enough Microsoft Virtualization to Go Around

There are more than enough Microsoft virtualization offerings to go around. And in this context the Redmond company announced the evolution of its alliance with Citrix in a move focused on the Microsoft Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) format. In this regard, both companies will use VHD as a common standard across virtualized programs and operating systems. Citrix's upcoming Desktop Server and virtual application solutions will deliver full support for the VHD format as a common runtime environment. "Customers want options for making desktop computing and applications more broadly accessible. Their needs vary widely depending upon bandwidth, user location, and application type and information sensitivity," said Mike Neil, general manager of virtualization strategy at Microsoft.

Additionally, the Redmond company informed of its plans to grow the desktop and Terminal Services SoftGrid Application Virtualization in order to seamlessly integrate the VHD format. But in the end, the new Microsoft and Citrix initiative is of course focused on delivering interoperability in heterogeneous virtualized infrastructures.

"Microsoft offers a comprehensive set of virtualization products at the server, desktop and application levels, and the management platform for both physical and virtual environments, so customers can deliver computing in a much more flexible, dynamic and responsive manner. By standardizing on a common virtualization format for both operating systems and applications, Microsoft and Citrix will enable customers to run interoperable solutions that can be centrally managed using our technologies," Neil added.

In terms of virtualization technologies Microsoft is currently offering SoftGrid Application Virtualization, Virtual PC 2007, System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Terminal Services, Virtual Server 2005 R2 and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007. In its turn Citrix brings to the table Presentation Server, Desktop Server, NetScaler and WANScaler.

"Standardization is critical to mainstream adoption of virtualized solutions," said Wes Wasson, vice president, worldwide marketing, Citrix Systems. "The agreement on VHD is a necessary first step we are taking to ensure IT can rapidly adopt the full benefits of virtualization. Today's announcement signals our continuing, joint commitment with Microsoft to provide virtualization solutions to create and manage dynamic IT environments well into the future."