Red Hat and Microsoft are partnering on server virtualization. The move provides some clear benefits to customers and partners — but could also help Red Hat to shake the perception that Novell’s SUSE Linux is the best Linux for Windows-related consolidation projects. Here’s the scoop, from The VAR Guy.
First, the official news. According to a Red Hat press release (paraphrased a bit here…):
Red Hat and Microsoft have signed reciprocal agreements to enable increased interoperability for the companies’ virtualization platforms. Each company will join the other’s virtualization validation/certification program and will provide coordinated technical support for their mutual server virtualization customers. The reciprocal validations will allow customers to deploy heterogeneous, virtualized Red Hat and Microsoft solutions with confidence.
As a result:
- Red Hat will validate Windows Server guests to be supported on Red Hat Enterprise virtualization technologies.
- Microsoft will validate Red Hat Enterprise Linux server guests to be supported on Windows Server Hyper-V and Microsoft Hyper-V Server.
- Once each company completes testing, customers with valid support agreements will receive coordinated technical support for running Windows Server operating system virtualized on Red Hat Enterprise virtualization, and for running Red Hat Enterprise Linux virtualized on Windows Server Hyper-V and Microsoft Hyper-V Server.
Red Hat’s Hidden Motivation: Countering Novell
At first glance, this is a significant win for Red Hat and Microsoft’s mutual customers and partners. But The VAR Guy thinks Novell’s close relationship with Microsoft forced Red Hat to the negotiating table.
In recent quarters, Novell’s SUSE Linux sales have enjoyed roughly 30 percent year-over-year growth. One reason: Some CIOs believe the tight, ongoing Microsoft-Novell relationship postions Windows Server and SUSE Linux as an ideal combo for server consolidation projects.
By partnering with Microsoft on server virtualization, Red Hat can potentially reestablish its own Linux as the best Linux for Windows-oriented integration projects.
The VAR Guy is updated multiple times daily. Don’t miss a single post. Subscribe to his newsletter, RSS feed, Twitter feed and Resource Center.
Read More About This Topic
Share This Post
Tags: Microsoft Hyper-V Server | Microsoft Windows Server | Microsoft-Novell Agreement | Open Source Virtualization | Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization | Server Consolidation | Server Virtualization | Windows Server Hyper-V
Interact: Add a Comment | Trackback Link | Permalink
Subscribe: RSS Feed
Red Hat should be careful. I included a video of Ballmer threatening Red Hat and its customers right here:
http://boycottnovell.com/2009/02/16/was-rht-ms-collab-smart/
That was the end of 2007. But.. you know what they say… the New Microsoft(R). Remember the OOXML corruptions?
Definitely strange — but good — to see Red Hat and MSFT working together. The VAR Guy is sure both sides went into the deal with open eyes.
> In recent quarters, Novell’s SUSE Linux sales have enjoyed roughly 30 percent year-over-year growth.
Like Red Hat.
Yes, indeed. Novell still operates at huge losses.
Roy: You know we welcome your comments, but The VAR Guy thinks it’s neither fair nor accurate to say NOVL operates at huge losses.
The company had a $16 million net loss in Q4, and an $8.7 million net loss for 2008, down from a net loss of $44.4 million in 2007.
Yes, NOVL needs to achieve consistent profits and net income/earnings per share growth. But can you really maintain that a $956 million net revenue company is operating at “huge losses” amid an $8.7 million net loss for the year?
The VAR Guy,
Sources tell me that Novell will lay off massively this week or next week.
I stand by my claim that Novell operates at a loss that would require laying off almost 1000 people (25% of workforce), which I hear is likely to be the real number.
I agree that Novell will layoff people and stand by my side it will be very soon, next week on the 26th they will announce Q1 results and its late this time, from sources I’ve heard that some employers are not getting their commission neither next week eben though they have archieve certain targets, due to big changes within the organisation. This is unfair….they push the commmissions in a later stage where it vapourates…..at the end they still dont get any…maybe a small slice of a pizza and a nice goodbye
The Spider: The VAR Guy plans to attend Novell’s Feb. 26 earnings call, and he’ll be all ears.