XenServer set free
MICROSOFT'S virtual chum Citrix has decided to release its enterprise virtual infrastructure platform XenServer for nothing.
The firm released Citrix Essentials for XenServer, and Citrix Essentials for Hyper-V which automate compatible virtualisation layers beneath the free Hyper-Volish hypervisor and the equally free Citrix XenServer Enterprise virtual infrastructure platform.
In a blog post Citrix Coolaid drinker Simon Crosby says the "Response to our announcements has been extremely positive, from our partner Microsoft to our channel partners and resellers, and many many customers and users.
"There are the expected nay-sayers too," he adds" but someone had to drink the only thing that you get free from our competitor - VMware koolaid. µ
L'INQ
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It's telling that the only management console Citrix offers for use with their XenServer is .NET-based and Microsoft-only.
Would I be overly cynical if I were to wonder if that was the quid pro quo for the funds to make XenServer (a) free and (2) Hyper-V compatible?
Here's how it works: XenServer gives a product away for free with restricting provisions such as "only 4 computers are allowed to be virtualized on this box" or they cap the number of CPU threads it can handle concurrently. While this does not affect software and infrastructure developers, it cannot be used at the high-end, where all the money is due to said restrictions. That's where they charge the normal arm, kidney, leg, and first born child for their software. As for the VMWare comments, maybe they are getting money from Microsoft. Maybe VMWare did not like their competition and decided to roadblock their way to interoperability with their products. Maybe Microsoft was helpful to them. Who knows, besides the inq journalists, which seem to be in the know, some of the time. Then again, I don't really see much news coming from Citrix so maybe they are just boring to follow or no moles are on the inside.... but I digress.
Management Console, so that's what Citrix call that POS. It might work if you work for a small(ish) company, but it is crippled if you need to use it in large enterprise.
I work in the virtualization space and the kool-aid flow freely from both sides (and a TON of 3rd party vendors). However, at least there's some competition forming up for VMware, which ultimately is good for consumers.
They won't be winning over the Linux fanboys with a .NET console, unless it runs on Mono. Sucking up to Microsoft's inferior products is precisely the wrong move. They are damaging their own products. They should kick Microsoft's butt instead. Get rid of terminal server. When can I use Citrix instead of Microsoft? Currently there's absolutely no cost advantage using Citrix. I am starting to perceive Citrix as an appendix of Microsoft. VMware rul'z, because it's not affiliated with Microsoft.
Anyone could see that Citrix would never splurge half a billion dollars on an acquisition without first consulting Microsoft. They have their eye on the main chance. MS wants VMware gone and Citrix makes a business out of building upon what MS gives away with the OS for free.
Theres a fairly balanced view on the 3 products over at the 360 blog, which takes 3 minutes to read:
http://360is.blogspot.com/2009/02/v-for-virtualization.html
AG
The rest of the world doesn't charge peope for their rubbish, so its about time Citrix got with the program and gave their trash away too....
So now you can run Microsoft crap on Citrix trash for less, how cool is that?