Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Virtualization

    Virtualization Edges Toward PCs

    By
    John G. Spooner
    -
    February 20, 2006
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Virtualization is becoming commonplace in the data center as companies seek to wring more out of their servers. But its broad use on the desktop is a year or two away at best, experts say.

      Chip makers Intel and Advanced Micro Devices have begun paving the way to client-side virtualization—the technology can partition a computer to run multiple different types of software simultaneously—by building their respective virtualization technologies into desktop and notebook processors.

      Intel got started by adding its Intel Virtualization Technology to its chips late last year—the chip maker activated the virtualization capabilities of its Xeon server processors earlier this month—and AMD will offer its AMD Virtualization Technology across all its high-end PC and server processors at midyear.

      Proponents of the technology envision it in everyday use as IT departments create partitions for their companies corporate software packages. But the real push wont come until software makers begin releasing applications that can take advantage of virtualization on a desktop or a notebook. Thats still a year or two away, by most accounts.

      At the moment, client-side virtualization “is pretty much a concept right now,” said Raghu Raghuram, vice president of data center and desktop platform products for virtualization software vendor VMware, of Palo Alto, Calif., during an interview at a recent virtualization conference hosted by analyst firm IDC.

      But that hasnt stopped companies such as Lenovo Group, which this week took the wraps off a new suite of ThinkCentre M52 desktops fitted with chips that include Intel Virtualization Technology. Lenovo also aims to offer a tool that uses virtualization to create a management partition on its PCs as part of its ThinkVantage suite of tools for businesses next May, a company spokesperson said.

      Intel and AMD said they expect other PC makers to follow Lenovo.

      When virtualization does arrive on the client side, many of the first applications will apply it to PC management tools for corporations, agree executives from AMD and Intel.

      “Management is the next frontier” for desktop virtualization, said Margaret Lewis, director of commercial solutions at AMD, in Austin, Texas.

      One desktop virtualization scenario could involve using separate partitions for company software and PC management and security tools, similar to Lenovos plans. Others might include bringing unmanaged network devices under control, such as in offshoring environments.

      Mobility could be enhanced allowing users to place a PC image onto a USB storage device and take it with them to be uploaded into another PC when needed. “Mobility is a huge benefit of desktop [virtualization],” Raghuram said.

      Thus far, some of the early work has focused on bringing virtualization to thin clients and PC blades, server-based settings where resources for multiple users are housed on back-end servers.

      IBM, for one, is using the technology in its Virtualized Hosted Client Infrastructure in an effort to allow companies to put blade servers to work supporting multiple employees.

      Working with VMware, Citrix Systems and PC blade pioneer ClearCube, IBM is looking to use its BladeCenter blade servers to house the desktop environments of multiple workers who access those environments via devices placed on their desks. VMwares software will be used to virtualize the blades, enabling businesses to host as many as 10 to 15 users on a single blade, an IBM spokesperson said.

      Talk of applying virtualization to client PCs appears to have some businesses thinking about the concept. But few have begun testing it out yet.

      Oak Associates, an investments company in Akron, Ohio, uses VMware to virtualize its Dell servers. However, Chief Technology Officer Scott Hill said putting virtualization to work on desktops is a concept thats further down the road.

      “I can see the advantage of it, putting [Windows] XP on a virtual machine and using a thin client or something for remote access,” Hill said. “But on a one-to-one ratio, I dont think it hits the price/performance [ratio] yet.”

      Bringing virtualization to the desktop

      Whats there now

      • Hardware support Processors to come with built-in virtualization hardware, which offload some virtualization duties from software
      • Some software VMwares Workstation and ACE apply virtualization to desktops; however, they focus on software development and remote or guest access, respectively

      Whats needed

      • More PCs Manufacturers must offer more systems with virtualization-equipped processors
      • More software Software devel- opers must release new applica- tions with expanded features that can tap virtualization-equipped chips
      • Operating system support Virtualization-oriented operating systems will help make partitioning PCs easier. Microsoft, for one, has pledged to embed virtualization features in Windows Vista in the future
      John G. Spooner
      John G. Spooner, a senior writer for eWeek, chronicles the PC industry, in addition to covering semiconductors and, on occasion, automotive technology. Prior to joining eWeek in 2005, Mr. Spooner spent more than four years as a staff writer for CNET News.com, where he covered computer hardware. He has also worked as a staff writer for ZDNET News.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Why Data Security Will Face Even Harsher...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 1, 2020 0
      Who would know more about details of the hacking process than an actual former career hacker? And who wants to understand all they can...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      How Veritas Is Shining a Light Into...

      eWEEK EDITORS - September 25, 2020 0
      Protecting data has always been one of the most important tasks in all of IT, yet as more companies become data companies at the...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×