As I’m very sure has been copiously reported elsewhere, on Monday Microsoft released to manufacturing Windows Server 2008. Also on Monday, Microsoft RTM’ed Windows Vista SP1.
According to Microsoft’s published roadmaps, the RTM of Windows Server 2008 signals the start of the 180 day countdown to the final release of Hyper-V, Microsoft’s hypervisor. Microsoft has included a beta build of Hyper-V in the RTM build of Windows Server 2008, but it’s the same build released in December so there’s nothing new there.
I hope VMware’s ready…the virtualization landscape is about to get a lot more competitive.
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Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 3:51 am
stuart cowen
Whew - that’s a relief. The darker side of me had a feeling that Hyper-V might not even be included in the W2K8 RTM. Thanks for the clarification, Scott.
Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Nick Triantos
Everybody’s talking about Microsoft entering the server virtualization space and while competition’s always a good because it drives innovation as well as lower pricing, I’m having a hard time believing that Hyper-V will enter this space and make a big dent on vmware.
History says that those who have created marklets and deeply penetrated them have stayed on top.
NAS is one example on that. NetApp created that market in 1992 and went without competition until people realized there’s a huge opportunity in that space. Then everybody entered that market (Microsoft included) hoping for a piece of the pie, in fact some of them have entered, exited, and re-entered. 16 years later Netapp’s still considered the NAS leader contrary to what people had predicted.
Yes, Microsoft will capture some of that market, but my belief is it won’t be anywhere near what people think it will. As long as VMware continues to innovate at the rate they are, they will continue to stay on top. In fact, the fact that VMware is orders of magnitude smaller than Microsoft is to their advantage when it comes to innovation.
Look what’s happening in the Microsoft vs Google battle…MS has tried for years and years to compete with Google unsuccesfully and now they want to pluck down $46bln to acquire Yahoo. So when all else fails, go find someone to acquire and hope for the best…
Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 3:07 pm
slowe
Nick,
There are certainly markets in which Microsoft has failed to dominate the space: telephony or NAS, as you pointed out, are two areas that jump to mind. So certainly the precedent has been set that it’s not a foregone conclusion that Microsoft’s entry into the virtualization market will mean that they are successful.
However, I think we all agree that the only way VMware will stay on top is to continue to innovate and to continue to deliver value above and beyond the competitors. VMware is #1 for two reasons: they invented the market, and they offer value that no one else can (today) match.
That said, it can’t be understated the impact that Microsoft will have by simply including their product with every copy of Windows Server 2008 x64 Enterprise. Internet Explorer this is not, but bundling can be very powerful.
Unfortunately, the best technology does not always win.
Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Nick Triantos
If we all agree that VMware can stay on top by continuing to innovate, then we also agree that VMware is the only folks that can shoot themselves on the foot.
Bundling can be a powerfull means of distribution, as long as the bundled product doesn’t lack in features, functionality and flexibility other available competing products.
Interestingly enough I forgot to mention the Zuno vs the iPod thing…Do people buy that thing, the Zuno I mean?
Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 4:28 pm
slowe
Ha! Yes, I’d forgotten about the Zune. That brings up a whole new set of markets that Microsoft has failed to dominate–digital music, music players, DRM, etc.
I do agree that only VMware can shoot themselves in the foot. That is quite true. But–here’s the thing–VMware doesn’t have to shoot themselves in the foot in order for Microsoft to gain noticeable market share. Microsoft just has to be “good enough” for users to use it. The barrier of entry just has to be lower than that for VMware for users to begin the adoption. Microsoft always starts off slow and then improves over time. Perhaps Hyper-V won’t go so great at first, but I do feel that it will be an important part of the virtualization market.
As for me, I’d take an iPod over a Zune any day of the week….