Novell and Vmware in virtual union

LINUX DISTRIBUTOR Novell has teamed up with VMware at the VMworld virtual Cannes festival this week, to enable independent software sellers to build their own SUSE Linux Enterprise virtual appliances. The deal also means the pair can now make Vmware-ready, out-of-the-box virtual appliances on SUSE Linux.

"Vmware is a critical virtualisation partner for Novell, and we are excited by our ongoing collaboration," said Markus Rex from the Novell Open Platform Solutions business unit.

The move is an interesting one in the catty world of vitualisation partnerships, where friendships are almost as superficial as they are virtual.

Novell, VMware and SAP also chose Vmworld as an occasion to announce a three-way collaboration, from March 18th, to deliver support to SAP customers migrating from Unix to Vmware virtualised SUSE Linux Enterprise.

Hope the Novell-ty doesn't wear off. µ