Hyper-V virtualization programs will be sold independently for $28

Microsoft today issued two important statements: one is to split its virtualization Management Program from Windows Server 2008 and sell it independently; the other is that its application software virtualization product is still in the testing stage. The names of the two products have also changed. Hypervisor changed from Viridian to Hyper-V, Virtualization Application from SoftGrid to Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 ).

As part of the Windows Server operating system, Microsoft spent two years promoting it. Therefore, this change is undoubtedly crucial. The pricing of this product is also very interesting: Hyper-V virtualization program is priced at only $28. If you run Windows Server 2008 operating system on it, the Standard Edition is priced at $971. Microsoft can also sell it as a software package, but there is no discount. This means that it costs $2008 to purchase the Windows Server 999 software package with Hyper-V programs, which is the same price as Windows Server 2003. For Windows Server 2008 operating systems that do not have Hyper-V programs, the price can be reduced by at least $28.

Why is Hyper-V hypervisor isolated from the Windows Server 2008 operating system? Microsoft said this was caused by the user's choice. It makes sense if you are a virtual tool manufacturer. $28 is the retail price, so the app manufacturer can pay less.

However, this behavior by Microsoft may be opposed by the anti-trust alliance. VMWare, A virtualization vendor, has a buzz about Microsoft's pricing strategy. However, Microsoft uses open-source software as an example. If users can download the Xen virtualization program for free, the price of $28 for our products may seem to be too expensive.

Of course, VMWare won't compete with free Xen virtualization programs, and its competitors include Citrix, Citrix, and Oracle. Perhaps everyone is waiting to see how Microsoft's virtualization tools are compared with these vendors.

In terms of desktop systems, Application software Virtualization 4.5 Application Virtualization 4.5) adds two important features, Microsoft calls it "standalone delivery" standalone delivery) and "dynamic virtualization" dynamic virtualization alization ). "Single-host delivery" means that virtualization application software no longer needs to be distributed, and can be allocated through CD or USB drives. Microsoft uses this technology to compete with the Thinstall packaging tool. Dynamic virtualization refers to the ability of a virtualized application software package to share and call data with other software on the upper layer.

For example, companies that develop multi-processing applications based on Microsoft's Access database can Virtualize all applications separately. This process is called an Access virtualization instance. Prior to this, the Access database was included in the virtualization software package. This method can reduce the demand for memory space and bandwidth. Virtualization of application software is used to overcome the complexity of catastrophic recovery.

The application virtualization software on sale is part of Microsoft's Desktop Optimization package Desktop Optimization Pack. This package includes four other management tools. Today, two of them launched an upgraded version of the test, and Microsoft also released the fifth set of software inventory agent list.

Diagnostic and defense tools (Diagnostic and Recovery Toolset) provide interfaces for registration and BitLocker to encrypt data. standalone Security scavenger is also an anti-spyware software, because it can run outside the operating system, it is better than most anti-virus software that detects and removes Trojans. The inventory agent is also distinctive. It uses host services to track software installed on PCs. Microsoft said they would respect the privacy of users and would not use the information collected using the license-based mandatory service.

This package costs $10 a year for each user. At first glance, it seems to be more cost-effective than purchasing Hyper-V virtualization programs. However, you must note that this package can only be used by authorizing SA through software, microsoft's maintenance program also requires that a software license contract be signed for each machine that uses it for XP Pro/Vista enterprise-level users ). To compete with other virtualization vendors, Microsoft may be committed to attracting users of Windows operating systems to the "software as a service" SaaS application model.