Virtual Server gets a free ride from Microsoft
InternetNews | at | by Mike
With a nod to the increasing popularity of Linux, Microsoft announced expanded support for the Linux OS at the LinuxWorld trade show in Boston today.
Microsoft said it now offers virtual machine add-ins for Linux and 24 x 7 technical support. Also, Microsoft announced its Virtual Server 2005 R2 as a free download. The software used to cost $99 for up to four instances or $199 for an unlimited number of processors.
These latest moves beg the question, Is virtualization leader VMware in danger of being "Netscaped" by the software giant?
Netscape saw its dominant market share virtually disappear as Microsoft brought a free Internet Explorer and then made it part of Windows. But VMware points to its growing customer list and developer support and doesn't see itself in the Netscape role.