Virtualization: The emerging hardware vs. OS bundle debate

Sun Microsystems rolled out its latest version of Solaris and the operating system is optimized for virtualization among other items.

The update is supposed to make it easier to migrate for new customers to migrate to Solaris. Dana Blankenhorn has more on Solaris (statement) but one of the more interesting themes is that virtualization is plugged into Solaris.

Solaris has Sun's Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Software 1.0 bundled in. Sun's effort is just the latest in a trend to lump virtualization into the operating system. And if you owned an operating system why wouldn't you lump in virtualization?

However, this move could pose an interesting conundrum for VMware. VMware works with all operating systems, but these partners will increasingly become competitors.

VMware obviously sees the same threat and has turf to defend. On Monday it rolled out plans to embed its virtualization software on servers. Simply put, no operating system is required.

For now, plans on both sides of the virtualization divide will continue. But going forward these differing approaches will be interesting to watch.

Separately, VMware acquired Dunes Technologies. Dunes makes "IT process orchestration software for virtual environments." In a nutshell that means Dunes synchronizes all the applications in large deployments. It tracks the moving parts and automates deployments.