XenServer 5: More Management, More HA

The commercial software is based on the open source hypervisor Xen in Linux kernel, and supports both Intels virtualizations technology VT, and AMD-V.

Citrix presented the new Xen version as part of its product-line Citrix Delivery Center, which will integrate its virtualization products from server platform to desktop computer, and deliver a more dynamic PC performance. Also in the portfolio is Citrix Cloud Center (C3), which is aimed at the providers of cloud computing services.

The management tools of XenServer 5 are meant to give administrators an improved overview of the system territory, it allows the labeling of workloads and virtual machines similar to Web 2.0 tags, to help sort and search for costs, locations and performance criteria. Citrix promises the new installation of Xen should take no more than 10 minutes.

On the high availability features of the new version, Citrix worked together with Marathon Technologies. This means Citric customers that buy the XenServer 5 Enterprise or Platinum edition will also have auto restart abilities. Higher HA levels via Marathon’s Everrun VM are also available at a surcharge.

The recommended price for the XenServer 5 is US$ 900 per server, Xen management software and a one year subscription to Citrix Advantage included. Along with the 30-day restricted evaluation version, a free Express Edition of the software is now ready for download, limited to one server but not in the view of VM’s or memory support.