Microsoft Allows Redistribution of its Virtualization Software

In a bold and unexpected move, Microsoft recently announced that it has now made it easier for partners to redistribute Microsoft’s desktop and server-class virtualization products within proprietary software applications.

Partners can now complete the Virtual Server 2005 R2 redistribution agreement via Microsoft’s Web site in order to redistribute Virtual Server 2005 R2 with their applications. The agreement grants the partner the right to redistribute both the x86 version as well as the x64 version of Virtual Server 2005 R2.

To obtain a redistribution license, the following must be met:

1. Review the Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition Redistribution License Terms.
2. Print and retain a copy of the Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition Redistribution License Terms for your records.
3. Accept the Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition Redistribution License Terms.
4. Register for Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition redistributions rights.

With this license change, partners’ customers can now more easily test and deploy solutions in a virtual environment. Two vendors, Portlock and VMLogix, have already recently agreed to redistribute Virtual Server 2005 R2 on their physical media.

“Portlock intends to bundle Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 with two of our products. We are very interested in this program so our customers have a more convenient deployment experience and feel it is crucial in our support of Microsoft’s Virtual Server products,” said John J. Hanley, chief executive officer of Portlock.

“VMLogix shares Microsoft’s vision for leveraging enterprise-grade virtualization technology in all phases of the software lifecycle – development, build, test, production and support. We are working with Microsoft to redistribute Virtual Server R2 within the VMLogix LabManager package in order to deliver an out-of-the-box solution to all members of the software development community,” said Ravi Gururaj, chief executive officer of VMLogix.

Also going through a licensing change is Microsoft’s Virtual PC 2004 product and the company’s upcoming Virtual PC 2007. Both products have included redistribution rights as part of their licensing agreements so that partners can distribute these Microsoft products as part of their software solutions.

On a side note, Virtual PC 2007 will add support for Windows Vista including 64-bit hosts and hardware-assisted virtualization capabilities developed by AMD and Intel. A beta of Virtual PC 2007 is scheduled for later this calendar year.