The Standard Performance Evaluation Corp., a nonprofit company that measures server performance benchmarks in the data center, is developing a metric for server virtualization.
The group has formed a committee that includes representatives from Advanced Micro Devices, Dell, Fujitsu Siemens, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, IBM, Sun Microsystems, and VMware. Its goal is to form a benchmark that allows end users to compare virtualization performance between servers in the data center.
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The group is now looking for input from IT managers on what the benchmark should look like, and is inviting SPEC members and non-members to join the discussion. There are no details yet on what the benchmark will measure in terms of the programs executed or the configuration of the machines.
"There is growing interest in using virtualization techniques to optimize data center efficiency," Paula Smith, vice president of SPEC and chair of the new group, said in a statement. "It is clear that customers and vendors will benefit from having an industry-standard benchmark for virtualization."
For more information, visit the group's Web site at www.spec.org/specvirtualization.
IBM offers deal to migrate off HP and Mercury systems management
IBM is looking to cash in by offering a 25% discount to users who ditch Hewlett-Packard and Mercury Interactive's systems management software for Big Blue's products.
IBM is making the push on the heels of HP's completed acquisition of Mercury Interactive, a business management software company based in Mountain View, Calif. The IBM offer allows its business partners to give HP and Mercury customers a 25% cut on licensing fees and applications if they switch from IBM's Tivoli or Rational systems management programs.
According to IDC, the worldwide distributed systems management software market hit $6.4 billion in 2005 – a 9.1% jump from the previous year – and is expected to reach $10.3 billion by 2010. HP was the leader with 14.5% market share, followed by BMC Software with 10.6% and IBM with 10.1%. CA and Microsoft were fourth and fifth.
The IBM discounts aren't restricted to people migrating from HP or Mercury applications, however. Details of the discount include:
- A 25% discount on licensing fees for moving from Mercury, Borland and other similar testing applications to Rational and Tivoli.
- An offer of 100 virtual tester licenses when purchasing Rational's quality management programs.
- A 25% discount on Tivoli software for those moving from select HP OpenView applications.
CA adds to built-in software on Exchange Server
Software company CA will add to software built in to Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 for risk detection and regulatory compliance issues.
CA made the announcement today at a Microsoft Exchange conference in Las Vegas, saying the features included data protection, email archiving and compliance assistance.
Exchange Server 2007 is expected to be available late this year or early next.
Let us know what you think about the story; e-mail: Mark Fontecchio, News Writer