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Weblog:   SCO, Microsoft, and Linux
Subject:   Virtual Server? Why?
Date:   2003-06-01 05:32:02
From:   anonymous2
Why would anybody buy Windows and install Linux on with Virtual Server? Especially for a SERVER?


The reason companies run Linux is because it's cheaper than buying Windows. If you're going to be buying Windows, that reason is gone.


You might counter claim that Linux is more stable than Windows. That might have been true before MS switched to the NT kernel from the Windows 3.1-95-98-ME mess - today it's really not that much of a consideration despite the hype.


Linux is a compelling product mostly because it's cheaper. From 1993-1997 Linux was *clearly* superior to Windows in terms of stability, and it didn't make much inroads then. Of course, then a computer cost $2K, I'm using a $300 1 Ghz machine to write this now. Hardware cheap enough now to make Windows a significant part of the cost of the solution.
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Showing messages 1 through 2 of 2.

  • Virtual Server? Why? NGSCB backward compatibility!
    2003-06-01 06:48:35  nzheretic [View]

    In my opinion Microsoft's acquisition of Connectix's Virtual Server technology has very little to do with running any other vendors operating system.

    Microsoft needs a Virtual Server for backward compatibility for it's NGSCB ( Next Generation Secure Computing Base ) DRM ( Denial of Rights Mechanism ) platform.

    Just as Microsoft's XP backward Win9x compatability opens up many locally exploitable API to gain SystemLocal privilege access, to the point where many programs need Adminstrator privilege to run, existing XP and win2k software would open up too many opportunities for helpfull hacker to bypass Microsoft's NGSCB DRM mechanisms.

    Microsofts all too obvious solution is to provide a "Virtual" PC mode, running a modified XP and WinME, with the NGSCB providing virtual filesystems and hardware access. All, access of course, with the NGSCB DRM scanning and control.

    Where do you want to go tomorrow?
  • Brian Jepson photo Virtual Server? Why?
    2003-06-01 06:24:46  Brian Jepson | O'Reilly AuthorO'Reilly Blogger [View]

    VMWare has a similar product: this page does a good job of explaining the benefits.

    I think Microsoft is adding this to their arsenal in part to let people keep running end-of-lifed operating systems (NT 4.0), but also to allow their customers to run Linux without losing the sale of a Windows license.
Showing messages 1 through 2 of 2.