Dell, Juniper partner

Dell and Juniper Networks have formed a partnership that will extend Dell's data centre virtualisation strategy by enabling it to OEM Juniper routing, switching and network security products under its PowerConnect network equipment brand, reports ITWire.

The companies also plan to collaborate to deliver a range of standards-based products for virtualised data centres using converged enhanced Ethernet, also known as data centre bridging, and iSCSI to improve network economics.

Juniper and Dell say that, by signing the OEM agreement, they intend to deliver a secure network infrastructure that will extend from a customer's traditional data centre out to its branch offices, remote workers, customers and business partners.

Global virtualisation provider VMware has warned against downloading free software from companies such as Microsoft as it will cost more money in the long run, reports National Business Review.

VMware Australia and New Zealand MD, Paul Harapin, says companies such as Microsoft do not give software away for free out of the goodness of their hearts: “They don't make money on free applications, so you know they are making money somewhere else. Nothing is free.”

As Microsoft diversifies its core business into virtualisation it is directly competing with server and desktop virtualisation giants such as VMware. But Harapin defended VMware's position saying Microsoft was not “even close to what we are doing today. Businesses are still investing with us".

CA has released a number of IT management products aimed at making virtual environments more efficient, along with several green energy offerings, according to V3.

The company said it is expanding its virtualisation portfolio following predictions by analyst firm Forrester Research that 54% of enterprises in Europe and the US will be running virtual environments by 2010.

Spectrum Service Assurance Manager is a new product designed to provide IT managers with a visual view of physical and virtual infrastructures, allowing them to pinpoint risks and produce service reports and application performance information more efficiently, the firm said.