Virtualization Movers and Shakers of 2008
Virtualization has seen many products in the last year and at the rate at which the industry is moving 2009 will be no different. In fact, we will see a lot more virtualization products coming into the market for this year. We are in the 4th week of 2009 and so far we have herd many announcements and seen many new releases, from TourtVirtual, Xcedex, Microsoft and many others.
Below I have listed 7 products that I think have made a big impact on virtualization in 2008. The list has three products from VMware and rightly so; they have been at the cutting edge of virtualization and have set the standard for others to follow. The list is not all about VMware though; others have picked their market and have supplied products that have increase the adaptation of the virtualization technology and have enhanced user’s experience.
Best Tool – VMware Converter
This tool has save me a lot of time and I am sure it’s the same for many VMware administrators. It Convert Microsoft Windows based physical machines and third party image formats to VMware virtual machines.
Most Innovative – VMware HA/DRS
For those of us in enterprise computing you know the cost and complexity of implementing a high availability environment. In time past these technologies were reserved for large companies, because only they could afford it. VMware HA and DRS technology has enabled us to get the same benefit across a wider area of systems for less money than we would have needed before.
Best New Comer – Pano Logic
Pano Logic is one of the many new comers to the virtual desktop market, but I think it stand out more than the others. The device has no moving parts and takes the standard Ethernet, mouse, keyboard, audio output and USB. What standout more than anything is, it has no CPU, no memory, no operating system, no drivers, no software and no moving parts.
Best x86-64 Server – HP GL580 G5
In my opinion the HP GL580 G5 is a very good server to implement as a Virtual host. The system is expandable and tough.
Best Desktop Devise – Wyse V10L
The Wyse V10L was released in 2007, but I think the device made a greater impact in 2008. Before the V10L we had the Linux and XP embedded and the S10, but I think the V10L is more cost effective because the maintenance is basically nil. It has more memory and a faster processor thus widen its use to include power users.
Most improve Host – Microsoft Hyper-V
Microsoft has been slow in it approach to virtualization, but over the last year I think they have put a lot of work into improving their virtualization products. The fruits are now showing in Hyper-V. Although their approach to virtualization from say VMware, they are Hyper-V is now in a position where it can compete with VMware in certain enterprises and product class.
Value for Money – VMware Fusion
This technology has merged two communities that have been warring fractions for sometime. For those who love their Apple Mac but have to use Microsoft Windows this is a dream come through; with VMware fusion there is no need to leave your Mac/PC at home, you can now take both with you via your Apple Mac. VMware fusion will allow you to work seamlessly in a PC environment through your Mac. We will see what happens next year, because VirtualBox is growing in popularity.
