VMware to Release “Free VMware Server”
Taking a page from their own playbook, it looks like VMware will be releasing a free version of their server-class virtualization software. It appears this will be a flavor of GSX and ESX server will continue to be their commercial focus at the enterprise server level. Personally, I think this is a brilliant tactic in light of the recent price pressure that Microsoft has applied by releasing Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 at $199 for the Enterprise Edition. It is exciting to watch VMware compete with Microsoft in the virtualization space and do it well by leveraging what some would argue are tactics that Microsoft used when it started – product innovations, price competitiveness and pervasive partnering.
