Leeeeeettttsss get ready to Rumble...... It seems the gloves are off and we could be looking at a cage match here if this early shot from VMware is anything to go by?
From Alessandro - VMware heavily attacks Citrix/XenSource through its partner channel
Apparently VMware is in hurry to clarify its channel how much better its technology is compared to new Citrix/Xensource platform. And do this without kind words.
virtualization.info has received a letter addressed to VMware partners just one day after XenSource acquisition which clearly exposes how tough the competition will be:
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XenSource failed to gain measurable market share. Its upcoming XenEnterprise v4 release still has major shortcomings compared to VMware Infrastructure 3.
Citrix provides impressive technology, but its competencies and resources are not in the field of system-level virtualization, which is what XenSource needs in order to deliver an enterprise virtualization solution.
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XenSource still cannot deliver the capabilities of 3rd-generation VMware virtual infrastructure. Citrix technology will not fill those gaps. Citrix can only ask customers to wait and forego immediate VMware Infrastructure 3 savings and infrastructure benefits.
The core of the XenSource solution, the Xen hypervisor project, is failing as it splinters into incompatible, proprietary offerings. The Open Source community is shifting support to KVM. Citrix may end up in possession of an abandoned hypervisor.
And from Gabe at Brian Madden - A brief history of Xen and XenSource
With the recent acquisition of XenSource by Citrix, it seems like a good idea to take a look at the history of Xen and XenSource so we have our bearings once the dust settles. This will be a brief look, but I'm sure more details will come out from you "Xen Experts" in the comments.
First off, XenSource is a commercial company that sells a suite of enhancements and management products that augment an open-source hypervisor called Xen. The lead developer for XenSource, Ian Pratt, is also the chief architect of the Xen open-source project - a competitive leg up by no small means. In fact, XenSource is the key corporation behind the Xen hypervisor, so any enhancements to Xen also enhance XenSource (and anyone else who uses Xen, for that matter).