Intel And VMware Launch Virtualize ASAP To Accelerate And Fuel Virtualization Into Data Centers

Program Designed to Speed Deployment of Applications in VMware Environments on Intel Xeon-based Servers and to Strengthen Collaboration between Intel and VMware on Optimizing Intel Platform Support for Virtualization.

PALO Alto, Calif., June 21, 2006 – Intel Corporation and VMware*, Inc. announced the launch of the Intel-VMware Virtualize ASAP*, a global program to further accelerate IT customer deployment of applications in virtual environments using VMware Infrastructure on Intel® Xeon® processor-based platforms. The program also strengthens the collaboration between Intel and VMware around optimizing Intel platform support for virtualization.

Virtualize ASAP benefits customers by enabling software vendors to develop best practices for optimized application deployment for VMware Infrastructure on Intel-based server platforms. Through this engagement with leading software vendors, Intel and VMware will jointly drive tuning, feedback and technical optimization for VMware virtualization software on Intel processor technologies. Over the long-term, Virtualize ASAP will help direct continued improvements in support for VMware software on Intel’s platforms and processors.

“We created Virtualize ASAP with VMware to accelerate and simplify the process of customer solutions deployment of VMware environments on Intel Xeon-based server platforms and to strengthen our joint technical collaboration,” said Pat Gelsinger, senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s Digital Enterprise Group. “Giving IT professionals well prescribed deployment guidelines for applications will serve as a strong catalyst for them to migrate their data centers to VMware Infrastructure on Intel Xeon-based server platforms. Working with VMware on the workloads will allow both companies to further optimize virtualization workload support on a longer term basis.”

“Virtualize ASAP gives a broad set of ISV partners a set of technical resources to accelerate the creation of best practices and reference configurations of VMware Infrastructure for servers using Intel’s dual-core Xeon processors,” said Diane Greene, president of VMware. “This will be very helpful to customers for both planning and ongoing deployment in their virtual infrastructure. The program will also provide valuable input to the ongoing technical collaboration to optimize VMware Infrastructure on Intel architecture.”

Virtualize ASAP provides multiple resources for engaged software vendors including a dedicated solution testing facility and resources. The program will deliver the hardware, software and technical expertise to help software vendors establish best practice reference configurations, and application-sizing guides for their software using VMware Infrastructure and Intel Xeon processor-based server platforms. The program will also provide education and support to software vendors who wish to take advantage of latest advances from Intel and VMware, including the forthcoming energy-efficient performance of Intel® Core™ Microarchitecture server processors and the newly released VMware Infrastructure* 3 software suite, including availability, dynamic resource management and resiliency capabilities.

Leading original equipment manufacturers, including Dell*, HP* and IBM*, are also driving Virtualize ASAP in support of software vendors with the contribution of new hardware platforms and technical resources. Software vendors who are initial participants in Virtualize ASAP include: Altiris*, BEA*, CA*, Cassatt*, Citrix*, CommuniGate Systems*, DataSynapse*, Hyperion*, Interwoven*, LANDesk*, McKesson*, MySQL*, NetIQ*, Open Country*, Platform Computing*, SAP*, SAS*, SyAM*, Sybase*, Symantec*, Tangosol* and UGS*.

Benefits offered to participating software vendors through Virtualize ASAP include:

Education on VMware Virtual Infrastructure, Intel Platforms and Best Practice Development: Participants will have access to training, a repository of best practices, case studies, technical white papers and more. In addition, Virtualize ASAP participants gain access to ASAP tools that guide them through the development of their own best practices, reference configurations and benchmarks for their software running on Intel and VMware platforms.
Virtual Appliances: VMware and Intel will assist software vendors with their pre-assembled virtual appliances, which deliver simplified customer evaluation and deployment of complex software environments, by providing leading server platforms and technical expertise. A virtual appliance is a fully pre-installed and pre-configured application and operating system environment that runs on a standard x86 desktop or server in a self-contained, isolated environment known as a virtual machine.
24x7 Online Access to Virtualize ASAP Center: The specialized online center jointly developed by Intel and VMware gives ISVs the ability to pre-schedule and utilize technical documentation, pre-configured system and software resources remotely 24 x 7. Located in Dupont, Wash., the center is now open and operational for participating ISVs. The center is equipped with the latest Intel Xeon processor-based server platforms provided by program sponsors Dell, HP and IBM running VMware Infrastructure software. The center provides web-based support with live technical assistance from technical and solution experts from/trained by Intel and VMware who are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST.
For more information: www.virtualizeASAP.com

About VMware

VMware, an EMC* company, is the global leader in virtual infrastructure software for industry-standard systems. The world’s largest companies use VMware solutions to simplify their IT, fully leverage their existing computing investments and respond faster to changing business demands. VMware is based in Palo Alto, Calif. For more information, visit www.vmware.com or call (650) 475-5000.

Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom

Intel is a trademark or registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

Contact Information

Tom Beermann

Press Relations

Intel Corporation

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