Has Citrix Return XenServer to its Roots?

Last month Citrix step up its effort to make a bigger impression in the virtualization and cloud computing market place. Citrix announced that their new version of Citrix XenServer is available as a free download (no 30/60 trial period). This is unprecedented for a software supplier to release a proprietary enterprise system with full features* free and you can use it in your production environment with unlimited installation. A move of this kind will definitely cause Microsoft and VMware to take note.

In the press release, Citrix said they have approximately 5000 of their virtualization system in production world wide. Using a proven method for software adoption, I am sure they will see a significant increase above the current 5000. In the current economic condition I think a lot of business will try it; especially those that are running non-proprietary version of Xen Server. The system is also promoted as Cloud ready, another reason to take a second look.
In the press release, Citrix did not say if future updates and upgrades for XenServer would be free as well. They did said system admin will be alerted about updates and upgrades for Citrix Essentials, a new virtualization management system developed for XenServer. So, before you start, I would advise you check if future version will be free as well.

Could it be that Citrix had no choice; with other major virtualization suppliers offering bigger incentives to implement their virtualization solutions? This is the reason they gave for the move: “This move is all about accelerating the adoption of virtualization by tearing down the barriers of cost and complexity that have been in place for far too long,” said Simon Crosby, CTO, Virtualization Management Division, Citrix. “The faster we can help customers virtualize the millions of servers that remain unvirtualized today, the sooner they can start adding significant value on top, transforming static datacenters into dynamic delivery centers where every application, desktop and server workload is delivered as an on-demand service.”

Whatever the reasons for making XenServer free; this is a good opportunity for businesses to think about their virtualization and cloud computing strategy. Has Citrix said businesses can install and use the system as is and buy additional feathers as and when they are needed.

XenServer core festrues:

• Powerful Centralized Management enables full multi-node management for an unlimited number of servers and virtual machines; includes easy physical-to-virtual and virtual-to-virtual conversion tools, centralized configuration management and a resilient distributed management architecture

• Live Motion and Multi-Server Resource Sharing incorporates powerful XenMotion™ technology that allows virtual machines to be moved from server to server without service interruption for zero downtime; also includes optimal initial virtual machine placement and intelligent maintenance mode

• Proven Hypervisor Engine powered by the 64-bit industry standard Xen open source hypervisor developed jointly by more than 50 leading technology vendors, enabling users take full advantage of the latest performance, security and scalability enhancements in next-generation servers, operating systems and microprocessors

• Fast Bare Metal Performance supports an unlimited number of servers and virtual machines with industry-leading consolidation ratios, near native performance on the most challenging application workloads, and virtually zero overhead in both Microsoft Windows® and Linux environments

• Easy Setup and Administration features familiar interface with easy wizard-driven configuration, intuitive Web 2.0 style search, and built-in auto-help that makes the learning curve for new administrators a snap

• Integrated Storage Management that supports any existing storage system; includes built-in storage management features such as host-based logical volume management, and dynamic multi-pathing capabilities