Sun Microsystems Unleashes VirtualBox 3.0, Adds Many Server Virtualization Features

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Sun Microsystems today announced a new version of Sun VirtualBox, its cross-platform virtualization software. VirtualBox 3.0 is capable of creating and running multi-processor virtual machines that can handle heavyweight server-class workloads, and also delivers enhanced graphics support for desktop-class workloads, reinforcing VirtualBox’s position as one of the world’s most popular virtualization platforms.

Many multi-threaded server-based workloads, such as database and Web applications, can benefit from Symmetric Multiple Processing (SMP) systems, which contain multiple CPUs. VirtualBox 3.0 can now support virtual SMP systems with up to 32 virtual CPUs (vCPUs) in a single virtual machine. With this major enhancement, VirtualBox software can be used to run not only desktop workloads on client or server systems, but also demanding server workloads.

A key component of Sun’s industry-leading desktop-to-datacenter virtualization portfolio, VirtualBox software has been rapidly growing in popularity, surpassing 14.5 million downloads and 4 million registrations worldwide, as well as more than 25,000 downloads a day. A mere 50 megabyte download, VirtualBox software is incredibly compact and efficient and installs in just a few minutes.

New server features of VirtualBox 3.0 software include:

• Up to 32 vCPUs per guest to accommodate heavyweight data-processing workloads.
• Hypervisor enhancements for SMP to enable optimum performance.
• Updated API platform designed to be the basis of the community-driven VirtualBox Web Console project, which is coming soon to allow IT administrators to manage their datacenters from a Web console. This project is based on the popular Python language.

New desktop features of VirtualBox 3.0 software include:

• Microsoft Direct3D support for Windows guests, which enables graphically intensive Windows applications, like computer modeling, 3D design and games software, to run in a virtual environment.
• Support for version 2.0 of the Open Graphics Library (OpenGL) standard. As a result, high-performance Windows, Linux, Solaris(TM), and OpenSolaris(TM) graphical applications, which typically use graphical hardware acceleration, are able to run applications like Google Earth and CAM-based software on VirtualBox software.
• Support for a wider range of USB devices, including storage devices, iPods and phones.

VirtualBox software is free of charge for personal use. For wider deployments within an organization, Enterprise subscriptions are also available, starting at $30 (USD) per user per year, which includes 24/7 premium support from Sun’s technical team. Discounts are available based on volume.

URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Virtualizationdotcom/~3/ECoKzbVTmkI/

Two Years Later: Why Linux people still lust after DTrace

Bill Pearson from the Intel Software Network posted a declaration of a party on the occasion of the 2000th blog post on ISN.

One of the highlights he listed was the conversation which was engendered by a post I did about two years ago called "Why Linux people lust after DTrace." My intent was simply to write up the notes from a talk I had attended by Bryan Cantrill from Sun about DTrace, and some random musings based on my own shaggy dog history in the industry.

Frankly, I wasn&apost prepared for the resulting thunderstorm of comments on my blog, as well as the comments which popped up on other blogs which referenced my post. Suddenly I had a steady stream of comments and post views on a topic that, well to be honest, I wasn&apost prepared to address. Heck, it was just a random post, why was there so much response?

And better yet, how could I replicate this outpouring of passion?

Since I posted this, I have learned a lot more about DTrace. The community has extended DTrace probes into MySQL, JavaScript and Python, to name a few. Intel extended DTrace to support an OpenSolaris version of PowerTop. (And I believe there are other DTrace-based tools which are forthcoming). I also learned more about similar options in Linux, and the pros and cons vs. DTrace.

Here&aposs a shout-out to Bill for mentioning my humble little post in his 2000th post party!

And, a little full-circle irony here: In the original post, I commented on how Oracle engineers in particular wished they had a version of DTrace for Linux. I guess with the coming acquisition of Sun by Oracle, they may be able to finally satisfy their lust for DTrace!

URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntelBlogs/~3/RRLp0X3UNkw/

Sun Microsystems Releases Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Software 3

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Sun Microsystems today announced the availability of Sun Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Software 3, which provides new enhancements and features to help companies maximize their IT infrastructure utilization and improve manageability of desktop deployments. Sun VDI Software 3 offers VDI storage economics, built-in virtualization capabilities, and support for a wide variety of virtual desktop operating systems.

The open architecture of Sun VDI Software 3 now gives users access to a broader choice of client devices and virtualization hosts — increasing flexibility, management efficiency and data security. Sun VDI Software 3 is available for purchase immediately and a free trial of the software can be downloaded here.

Sun VDI Software 3 represents a seamless solution, leveraging core open source technologies including Sun’s Open Storage, OpenSolaris, VirtualBox and MySQL. With Sun VDI Software 3, customers can deploy a number of virtual desktop operating systems, including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2000, OpenSolaris and Ubuntu, and access these operating systems from a variety of client devices — such as traditional PCs or Macs, energy-efficient Sun Ray thin clients, or thin clients from other vendors. In addition, to host virtual desktop environments, IT architects can opt to use the improved integration with VMware Infrastructure, leverage Sun built-in virtualization, or use a mixture of the two.

Sun VDI Software 3 has exceptional management capabilities, resulting in lower equipment costs, less energy consumption, reduced system cooling requirements, simplified system administration and reduced e-waste. Since desktops are centrally hosted, only the display is sent to the client device; critical data never leaves the corporate network and can be managed and backed up by IT. Moreover, built-in Sun Ray technology support takes advantage of the excellent performance and inherent security features of Sun Ray thin clients, which contain no resident operating system or applications — making them virtually immune to client-side viruses.

Sun VDI Software 3 is available today and offers subscription-based pricing starting from $40 per user/per year, as a discounted price off the U.S. list price for pre-pay and multi-year purchases.

URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Virtualizationdotcom/~3/MEjY15o-A84/