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VMware launches desktop alliance
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VMware and several business partners have begun an initiative called the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Alliance to try to replace individual PCs with virtual machines on a much smaller number of servers. The alliance includes Citrix, ClearCube Technology, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Wyse Technology, Sun Microsystems, Altiris and Softricity.
VMware's virtualization software, like rival technology from Microsoft and Xen, lets a single computer run several operating systems in compartments called virtual machines. VMware argues that running PCs on centralized virtual machines increases efficiency and eases management.
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Another scary thought: can you imagine what would happen if a server were to go down? It affects a lot more people.
Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of virtualization for running multiple OS's simultaneously but I wonder just how worthwhile it is for companies.
sandbox. It should only have access to it's own disk partition,
rather than see the whole HD. It only has access to it's own
memory. Other than the CPU there should be very little that is
shared.
In fact one of it's prime uses has been keeping servers up; by
virtualising the OS you only need to reboot the crashed 'virtual'
server rather than the whole server. Equally, a virtual machine
gets infected? Delete it and rebuild, while your server is up and
running.
The mitigating trend is the rise of laptops over desktops.
Laptops are far worse in terms of reliability, maintenance,
lifespan, performance, etc, but their advantages to people
outweigh all those factors.
Look at the long-term trend over 35 years and it's gone from
mainframe to mini to desktop to laptop (and increasingly mobile
phone).