Parallels retools, renames Windows/Linux virtualization app
Claims some apps will run eight times faster on new version
September 1, 2009 06:00 AM ETComputerworld - Parallels Inc. today released a new version of its Windows/Linux desktop virtualization software, saying it should be able to run some applications as much as eight times faster than its prior version.
Parallels is perhaps best known for its Parallels Desktop for Mac application, which lets users run Windows software on Mac computers, but it has several other similar products.
One is Parallels Workstation 2.2, which let users create Windows or Linux virtual machines and run them as "guests" on top of Windows, Linux or Mac OS X computers.
The new Windows/Linux desktop virtualization software, Parallels Desktop 4 for Windows and Linux, is an upgrade to Workstation 2.2, which was released almost three years ago.
According to David Abramowski, director of enterprise product marketing at Parallels, the new version uses the FastLane virtualization engine in its popular Mac virtualization app for better performance -- as much as eight times faster for some applications.
All told, there are 68 new features, according to Abramowski. He said standouts include the following:
- The ability to simulate complex, powerful PCs as virtual machines that can have up to eight virtual CPUs, 8GB of virtual RAM, 2TB virtual hard drives and 16 network interfaces.
- A number of virtualization tools, such as Parallels Transporter, that help convert physical operating system environments or third-party virtual machines into ones that work on Parallels Desktop.
- The ability to run 64-bit guests on top of 32-bit hardware, a feature designed for developers focused on testing.
The software is designed for developers and business users. It requires PCs equipped with hardware virtualization technology -- that is, CPUs possessing Intel's VT-X or the AMD-V technology.
Operating systems that are supported as guests include Windows (from 2000 to all flavors of Vista and Windows 7), and Linux distributions, such as Debian, Fedora, Mandriva, OpenSSUE, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 and Ubuntu, Abramowski said.
The new software costs more than its predecessor: Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Windows and Linux lists for $79.99 per computer, versus $49.99 for Version 2.2. That's cheaper than VMware Inc.'s Workstation product ($189) and about the same as Oracle Inc.'s Sun VirtualBox 3.0 ($30 per user per year for the commercial version) but more expensive than the free XP Mode virtualization in Windows 7, Abramowski points out.
Parallels Desktop will run faster than Windows 7's virtual XP Mode, and it will support many more guest operating systems beyond Windows XP, Abramowski said.
VMware
Additional Resources



Learn the important issues you must consider before starting your next mobility initiative. Get your mobility white paper from IDC now, compliments of Sybase.
White Papers & Webcasts
Uncover the Benefits of Virtualization
Download this Whitepaper Now!
Effectively Implementing Datacenter Automation
Effectively select and deploy the best datacenter automation solution today!
Global Distributed Service in the Cloud with F5 and VMware
Learn how F5 and VMware help you orchestrate and deliver access to services in the cloud by providing a robust Application Delivery Networking...
Efficient Root-cause Analysis in the face of Datacenter Complexity
Isolating Virtualization and n-Tier Application Issues, Measuring Success, Assessing Business Impact, and Enabling Technologies
Optimize VMware View VDI Deployments with F5
F5 BIG-IP Local Traffi c Manager optimizes VMware View deployments between offi ces to create a user experience on par with local desktops.
XenApp Extends Virtualized Application Delivery
Download this webcast to learn how to accelerate delivery of virtualized applications and streamline management.
Connecting to the Cloud with F5 and VMware VMotion
F5 and VMware partner to enable live application and storage migrations between datacenters and clouds, over short or long distances.
Rethinking Storage for Server Virtualization Environments - HP and Forrester Pre-recorded Webcast
Download this on-demand webcast today!
ROI of Application Delivery in Virtualized Environments
Learn how load balancing Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) can substantially reduce expenses in traditional and virtualized architectures with a fast ROI.
Horror stories: Managing IT Across Multiple Locations
How one extra sharp IT manager eliminates daily agony, hassle and repetition.


