http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=197700867 or http://vmblog.com/archive/2007/02/28/microsoft-responds-to-vmware-white-paper.aspx for the Microsoft response.
VMware, the market leader in virtualization software, says Microsoft is trying to block Windows users from implementing third-party virtualization tools. Is VMware overreacting, or is it trying to avoid being “Netscaped”–made irrelevant as Microsoft folds its own virtualization technology into the operating system?
In a white paper on its site, VMware says Microsoft won’t support Windows or its applications when they’re running in a third-party virtual machine unless the user has purchased Microsoft’s Premier level of support. Microsoft doesn’t deny it: The Premiere requirement is part of its commitment “to providing high-quality technical support,” says Mike Neil, manager of virtualization strategy.
As a ex-windows server guy, (I dabble in Linux and grid you see), I have a mixed viewpoint in this, you see Microsoft are using the tools they can to cement their platform, to re-enforce their virtual technology.
However, I do feel that by taking these steps it undermines the Microsoft message and virutalization in the industry. Virtualization offers nearly all companies new business opportunities, revenue, exposure to new markets, Microsoft saying yes but on our terms, not only damages the Microsoft branding amongst the technical people, it undermines the virtualization offering.
Now Microsoft’s viewpoint could be, that you’ll buy windows regardless of whether it’s virtual or physical, but I think it’s missing a trick on the virtual standpoint, you want a virtual copy of Vista home it’s £50, but you can have Premium for £100, you want support for a problem with Microsoft Windows in Vmware fine, we’ll provide it, but we recommend microsoft’s virtualization tools.
Everytime Microsoft does something like that, all my Linux/Unix friends jump up and down and shout “see get Linux, it’s cheaper and better”, (or I think Mac type things, I mean there is open office), either way it detracts from the Microsoft plan, yes you want to control your source code, your product, but you also want to offer a product that can be suited to the business need or the industry statements that Linux is cheaper than windows might just start carrying weight.
There is concern you might say that virtualization will replace the operating system, and in the long term it could, how you react as a business is key to this, you can either cement your platform, or you can open it up, gain new exposure, focus on new products, new solutions. What’s next….
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