Sun unveils new cross-platform virtualisation software

To support virtual Symmetric Multiple Processing systems with up to 32 virtual CPUs in a single virtual machine

Sun Microsystems has unveiled a new version of VirtualBox cross-platform virtualisation software. The new VirtualBox 3.0 is reportedly capable of creating and running multi-processor virtual machines that can handle server-class workloads.

Sun said that many multi-threaded server-based workloads, such as database and web applications, can benefit from Symmetric Multiple Processing (SMP) systems which contain multiple CPUs. The virtualisation software can now support virtual SMP systems with up to 32 virtual CPUs (vCPUs) in a single virtual machine. With this enhancement, VirtualBox software can be used to run desktop workloads on client or server systems.

The new server features of VirtualBox 3.0 software include: supporting up to 32 vCPUs per guest to accommodate heavyweight data-processing workloads; providing hypervisor enhancements for SMP to enable optimum performance; and an updated API platform designed to be the basis of the community-driven VirtualBox Web Console project.

The new desktop features of VirtualBox 3.0 software include: Microsoft Direct3D support for Windows guests, which enables graphically intensive Windows applications; support for version 2.0 of the Open Graphics Library (OpenGL) standard; and support for a range of USB devices, including storage devices, iPods and phones.

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