News
Microsoft and XenSource 'Cooperate' for Linux Support in Windows Server
Microsoft announced this week it will cooperate with a leading Linux open source
developer to provide interoperability between Windows Longhorn Server and Xen
virtualization technology for Linux.
The company is working with Palo Alto, Calif.-based open source firm XenSource
to deliver interoperability between Xen-enabled Linux distributions and Microsoft's
coming hypervisor technology, which the company refers to as Windows Server
virtualization.
Under the agreement, Xen-enabled Linux clients will be able to run on Windows
Server virtualization, the two firms said in a statement. Xen
is a popular hypervisor technology for Linux. According to statements on
its Web site, XenSource was founded by the original Xen development team.
While Microsoft's hypervisor will ultimately be a component of Longhorn Server,
it will not be delivered when Longhorn first ships. Currently, that is scheduled
for late 2007 with the Windows hypervisor due within 180 days following that.
Longhorn Server's Windows Server virtualization is set
to enter beta late this year.
XenSource's XenEnterprise is planned for general availability as a packaged
and commercially licensed product in the third quarter.
About the Author
Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.