Microsoft And Citrix Extend Virtualization Alliance
Wednesday, 12 September 2007 by Michel Roth
At the time of the acquisition of XenSource by Citrix there was a lot of discussion about what Microsoft would think about this deal. Of course Microsoft knew. If you were still unsure about Microsoft's feeling about this deal, you needn't be unsure anymore. Yesterday Microsoft and Citrix made a major announcement at VMworld by declaring that they have agreed on using the (Microsoft) VHD format as their common future platform for both virtualized operating systems and applications. Note "Virtualized operating systems and applications". The press release translates this to Citrix’s Desktop Server and a future versions of Softgrid.

To me the most interesting statement in this press release is in this line: "Microsoft and Citrix will also collaborate on emerging virtualization technologies and virtual infrastructure management tools to help ensure interoperability and simplified administration for end users. Why is this line so interesting? Because in my recent article, the truth behind the Citrix XenSource deal?, I wrote about just this. To me this only confirms that Citrix is indeed planning to perform the "Presentation Server trick" again with Viridian / Microsoft Server Virtualization. The "Presentation Server trick" is about Citrix being the marketleader in providing value-add software for a key Microsoft product. They did it with Terminal Server and now they are planning to do the same for Viridian.

Also I have to say that it's rather bold of Microsoft and Citrix to announce this a VMware's VMworld because this press release basically says: "Hey VMware, we just wanted to let the world know that we will be teaming up against you". You be the judge: read the entire press release here.

Related Items:

The Truth Behind The Citrix XenSource Deal? (19 August 2007)
Microsoft Enters VDI Market By Tag-Teaming With Citrix (22 January 2008)
Citrix Acquires XenSource For $500 Million (15 August 2007)
XenSource (Also) Announces Embedded Hypervisor (6 September 2007)
Citrix Completes Acquisition of XenSource (22 October 2007)
Microsoft In Final Talks To Buy Softricity (19 May 2006)
Citrix Completes Acquisition of XenSource (5 November 2007)
VMware, Provision Networks and Microsoft Strike Major VDI Deal At US Department Of Defence (4 December 2006)
Citrix' Future Booming Or Bleeding? (15 January 2007)
Microsoft Sheds More Light On Windows Hypervisor Technology (6 April 2006)
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