Microsoft Makes the Hypercall
 Joe Wilcox
Microsoft's decision to license the hypercall API is the right call, although some pundits and competitors might balk at the licensing scheme. |
The Hypercall API opens Windows Server virtualization, code-named Viridian, to third-party developers. While part of Windows Server 2008, Viridian is delayed and not expected to RTM (release to manufacturing) until later next year. Microsoft plans to launch Windows Server 2008 in late February, although the date of availability is uncertain.
Virtualization is a hot market and a huge opportunity for Microsoft. Many enterprises are consolidating servers in a massive trend not seen in a decade. Sun hugely benefitted from late-1990s server consolidation leading up to the so-called Year 2000 crisis.
The factors driving the newer server consolidation trend are numerous, including green computing, as IT organizations seek to reduce energy consumptions and costs related to cooling data centers.
Microsoft is looking to cash in by way of virtualization technology tied to Windows Server. Virtualized servers offer two-fold benefits to Microsoft: IT organization conversion to Windows Server from another operating system and migration to newer Microsoft server software.
Today, Microsoft also updated the draft hypercall APIs, for partners that want to develop products around Viridian.
Microsoft is touting hypercall benefits for interoperability, which makes sense for the announcement venue of Interop New York 2007. But the potential partner opportunity is the bigger benefit. IDC predicts that the market for virtualization services will grow from $5.5 billion last year to $11.7 billion in 2011. IDC expects the virtualization services opportunity will be biggest for servers with price tags less than $25,000. Servers in this range are a sweet spot for Microsoft.
Licensing may be a sticky point for some third parties interested in licensing the hypercall API. Microsoft will release the API, at no cost, under its Open Specification Promise, which makes a pledge not to sue anyone using hypercall. Promise not to sue isn't exactly a feel-good licensing term for perceived or real Microsoft competitors. Microsoft's focus is customers and loyal partners, anyway.
Microsoft is making the right move, but not necessarily at the right time. Viridian's delay is unfortunate. In May, IDC reported that for first quarter 2007, Windows Server revenue exceeded Linux for the first time since the analyst firm started tracking the software in 1998. Windows Server has traction but really needs the virtualization boost early next year rather than later in 2008.
Related Posts:
- New Windows Client and Server Beta, Microsoft Watch, Sept. 24, 2007
- Microsoft and Sun Sitting in a Tree..., Microsoft Watch, Sept. 12, 2007
- Windows Server Delayed, Again, Microsoft Watch, Aug. 29, 2007
- It's Official: An Unofficial Delay, Microsoft Watch, July 10, 2007
- Got IIS 7.0?, Microsoft Watch, June 27, 2007
- Windows Server at the Core, Microsoft Watch, June 5, 2007
- 'Longhorn' Server Comes When?, Microsoft Watch, June 5, 2007
- 'Longhorn' Named Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Watch, May 15, 2007
- Microsoft's Big Bang is When?, Microsoft Watch, April, 26, 2007
- Viridian Delay Foreshadows What About Windows 'Longhorn' Server?, Microsoft Watch, April 12, 2007
- Windows Server Takes the Lead, Microsoft Watch, Nov. 16, 2006
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Comments (1)
Engineers' syndrome
www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2204613,00.asp
"Engineers' syndrome. The only difference is that Microsoft, once a software company, keeps entering businesses in which it has little or no expertise. Microsoft may be suffering from engineers' syndrome, something you run into all the time. This is quite amusing, even to engineers, who see it occurring in other engineers but never see it in themselves."
"The idea is that once you learn engineering disciplines, you project them onto endeavors other than engineering, since everything you ever do in life is actually some sort of engineering. While there is some modicum of truth to this notion, it's the leap of faith that pushes the idea into the absurd. What happens with engineers' syndrome is this: You start believing that since you're an excellent engineer in one specialty, then you're a friggin' genius in everything you do, because it's all the same, really."
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Thus 5000 (MS bloggers),is it not?
"this is too a serious warning to those who are looking for truth, fairness and sincerity. Now you will know how MS is defending itself, now when a opinion seems to be whoring to Ms, it is simply because it is."
Posted by Marco | October 24, 2007 6:53 PM