As if VMware wasn't in the news enough lately, here they come again. This time, VMware is making a joint press announcement with Intel Corporation announcing the launch of something called the Intel-VMware Virtualize ASAP.

According to the announcement, Virtualize ASAP is a global program to further accelerate IT customer deployment of applications in virtual environments using VMware Infrastructure on Intel Xeon processor-based platforms. The program also strengthens the collaboration between Intel and VMware around optimizing Intel platform support for virtualization.

"Virtualize ASAP gives a broad set of ISV partners a set of technical resources to accelerate the creation of best practices and reference configurations of VMware Infrastructure for servers using Intel's dual-core Xeon processors," said Diane Greene, president of VMware. "This will be very helpful to customers for both planning and ongoing deployment in their virtual infrastructure. The program will also provide valuable input to the ongoing technical collaboration to optimize VMware Infrastructure on Intel architecture."

Benefits offered to participating software vendors through Virtualize ASAP include:

• Education on VMware Virtual Infrastructure, Intel Platforms and Best Practice Development: Participants will have access to training, a repository of best practices, case studies, technical white papers and more. In addition, Virtualize ASAP participants gain access to ASAP tools that guide them through the development of their own best practices, reference configurations and benchmarks for their software running on Intel and VMware platforms.
• Virtual Appliances: VMware and Intel will assist software vendors with their pre-assembled virtual appliances, which deliver simplified customer evaluation and deployment of complex software environments, by providing leading server platforms and technical expertise. A virtual appliance is a fully pre-installed and pre-configured application and operating system environment that runs on a standard x86 desktop or server in a self-contained, isolated environment known as a virtual machine.
• 24x7 Online Access to Virtualize ASAP Center: The specialized online center jointly developed by Intel and VMware gives ISVs the ability to pre-schedule and utilize technical documentation, pre-configured system and software resources remotely 24 x 7. Located in Dupont, Wash., the center is now open and operational for participating ISVs. The center is equipped with the latest Intel Xeon processor-based server platforms provided by program sponsors Dell, HP and IBM running VMware Infrastructure software. The center provides web-based support with live technical assistance from technical and solution experts from/trained by Intel and VMware who are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. PDT.

For more information, visit www.virtualizeASAP.com

Posted by David Marshall on June 21, 2006 04:33 PM