IBM introduced a new release of its server virtualization management software that adds new automation capabilities for the management of both virtual and physical systems across multiple platforms. The software is now available on IBM's POWER-based servers. And with the industry trend moving toward a more automated datacenter solution, this capability makes use of the expanded virtualization features that was r IBM introduced a new release of its server virtualization management software that adds new automation capabilities for the management of both virtual and physical systems across multiple platforms.The software is now available on IBM’s POWER-based servers. And with the industry trend moving toward a more automated datacenter solution, this capability makes use of the expanded virtualization features that was recently announced with the launch of the POWER6 microprocessor.The new Systems Director Virtualization Manager attempts to ease virtualization management by incorporating a Web-based user interface. It will also integrate with and compliment existing virtualization capabilities on IBM systems such as Hardware Management Console (HMC) and Integrated Virtualization Manager (IVM) on POWER. The software also gives customers the ability to view the relationship between physical and virtual servers and quickly determine which resources are being used by which servers. It also adds support for x86 environments including integration with Storage Configuration Manager for more fully integrated server and storage management.IBM also announced that they are introducing two new tools for availability management and image management. IBM Systems Director Virtual Availability Management will allow customers using Xen-based virtualization on x86-based environments to create a high availability farm to help manage and respond to unplanned host and virtual server outages and will provide for secure live relocation for Xen virtual machines with little to no downtime.The second tool, IBM Systems Director Virtual Image Management, will provide a single, unified view of different types of system templates and server images to help customers manage and deploy their systems. “As virtualization becomes ubiquitous, the management of the data center has become more complex,” said Rich Lechner, vice president, IT Optimization at IBM. “Customers need a management platform that works across the data center and allows them to manage the physical and virtual resources to quickly and flexibly respond to business requirements. IBM sees management as the next era of virtualization technology and we are delivering technology and tools to help customers simplify the tasks involved in managing their IT infrastructures.” More information can be found on IBM’s Web site, here. Software Development