Currently there a couple of key features missing from XenServer that you really need in Enterprise environments, such as support for NIC teaming and support for storage accessed over fiber channel. Citrix has listened and has started to improve XenServer in this area. Also, one of the improvements that has been made in 4.1 is increased performance for virtual Citrix Servers (one would expect no less). Another important change is that Citrix is planning on making VLAN support available to the Standard Edition of XenServer as well (currently you need XenServer Enterprise Edition for that). Not less important, the Citrix XenServer 4.1 beta has improved hardware support (this makes it easier to evaluate as well). One rather unique sounding new feature is that XenServer 4.1 will support for hot-plugging USB storage as a storage repository.

With the Citrix XenServer 4.1 beta, Citrix is almost being modest. Usually these amounts of significant changes amount to a .0 release. But not this time. Check out the Citrix XenServer 4.1 beta yourself.