Parallels Server details

Parallels on Monday unveiled an alpha version of its Parallels Server at Apple's World Wide Developers Conference in San Francisco, which will allow users to run Windows and Linux in virtual servers alongside Mac OS X on Intel-powered Xserve systems. The company today is providing some color on its latest software product, hoping to answer a several questions about the "what and why" of its recent announcement. Parallels Server for Mac aims to do exactly the same thing for Apple Xserve owners as Parallels Desktop does for consumer and pro Mac users. Parallels Server for Mac will allow IT administrators to run Microsoft Exchange Servers on Windows, Apache Web servers on Linux, and more right alongside Mac OS X Server.

"It speaks volumes to our commitment to the Mac market and shows that we're ready to provide the world's only top-to-bottom, server and desktop, virtualization solution for the Apple community," said a Parallels spokesperson.

"Along with our Parallels Server for Windows/Linux offering (and its Workstation for Windows/Linux desktop counterpart) we're gearing up to provide a complete set of virtualization solutions for the SMB, government and education markets, as well as a new avenue of approach for enterprises that already have virtualization in place, and are looking for an easier, more cost effective approach."

Parallels is preparing to show and discuss the robust server capabilities of its new software, open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), and management capabilities from SWsoft's Virtuozzo Tools. Parallels Server will include a number of enterprise-class features like true virtual SMP, type-1 hypervisor, strong support for popular server operating systems like Windows Server 2003 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux distributions, local as well as browser-based management tools, and a new management-focused interface that makes working with multiple real and virtual servers easy.

Open APIs

"Unlike our competitors in the space, Parallels will be completely opening its APIs and providing a powerful SDK to enable third-party developers and IT departments to fully leverage virtualization technology in their applications and tools," Parallels said. "Providing a complete open API ensure companies can leverage custom tools or ISVs can easily manage Parallels virtual servers as well as servers from other vendors."

The company also believes that opening the API and providing all of hte necessary resources to build tools will help its community get the most out of its new server offerings. Parallels is also planning to make a number of its in-house developed server management tools open-source to allow all developers to get more out of the virtualization infrastructure.

SWsoft's Virtuozzo Tools

Parallels is working to optimize SWsoft's virtualization tools to work with Parallels Server, forming a single console where IT administrators can manage both Parallels and Virtuozzo virtual servers.

By Electronista Staff

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