This week Citrix announced thet XenServer will be given away free. Their aim is to promote the adoption of virtualization with their Enterprise-Class, Cloud Proven software. In fact nearly all Internet based virtualization is use Xen as the hypervisor.

What a brillant move by Citrix. Now organizations that want to adopt virtualization or just want to test the waters can do so without a massive outlay of cash on hypervisor licenses. Before yesterday I hadn’t even looked at the product simply because we already used some VMWare ESX servers. A free product that gives me more than I have already is certainly very enticing.

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The rapid development cloud based services has presented technology consumers a big range of choice. Currently when you choose a cloud service provider or providers you need to consider the long term cloud strategy of your organisation. This is especially true if you are planning on using cloud based database and platform based services. The problem with the technology is it is largely proprietary in nature. There are no agreed data storage and inter operational standards.

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It has only been a couple of months since Microsoft released details on what it will offer in its cloud based services, which include Windows Azure, .Net Services, SQL Services and Live Services. The actual impact of these services to the Internet based application community will not be evident for some time yet.

In the mean time Microsoft is calling for its current and new partners to get on board with Saas offerings. Microsoft is suggesting four ways that Independent software vendors(ISVs) can get involved in Saas or as they like to call it Software plus Services (S+S).

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The benefits and risks of Cloud computing have been mentioned quite a lot lately by industry heavy weights, IT professionals and myself. The aim of Cloud computing is to simplify IT delivery, management and reduce costs.

If the majority of your applications become cloud born then do you really need a dual core or quad core workstation sitting on your desk at work? For all the on paper savings virtualization promises to yield, it is still quite expensive to implement a virtual environment properly. That money may be made back within three to five years but many organisations simply cannot get the capital, especially in today’s economic climate.

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