02/09-10   -   Press releases

VMware and Novell Deliver SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware

Customer Adoption Yields Results that Drive IT-as-a-Service

Today at VMworld 2010, VMware and Novell announced the general availability of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware®, the first step in the companies´ expanded partnership announced in June of 2010. The solution is designed to reduce IT complexity and accelerate the customer evolution to a fully virtualized datacenter. With SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware®, customers who purchase a VMware vSphere™ license and subscription also receive a subscription for patches and updates to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware® at no additional cost. Additionally, VMware will offer the option to purchase technical support services for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware® for a seamless support experience available directly and through its network of solution provider partners. This unique solution benefits customers by reducing the cost and complexity of deploying and maintaining an enterprise operating system running on VMware vSphere.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware® has the reliability, interoperability, and high performance customers have come to expect from SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, which has the broadest application support among enterprise Linux operating systems, with nearly 6,000 application certifications. With SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware®, both companies intend to provide customers the ability to port their SUSE Linux-based workloads across clouds. Such portability will deliver choice and flexibility for VMware vSphere customers and is a significant step forward in delivering the benefits of seamless cloud computing.

"This unique partnership gives VMware and Novell customers a simplified and lower-cost way to virtualize and manage their IT environments, from the data center to fully virtualized datacenters," said Joe Wagner, senior vice president and general manager, Global Alliances, Novell. "SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware® is the logical choice for VMware customers deploying and managing Linux within their enterprise. This agreement is also a strong validation of Novell´s strategy to lead in the intelligent workload management market."

"VMware vSphere™ delivers unique capabilities, performance and reliability that enable our customers to virtualize even the most demanding and mission-critical applications," said Raghu Raghuram, senior vice president and general manager, Virtualization and Cloud Platforms, VMware. "With SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware®, we provide customers a proven enterprise Linux operating platform with subscription to patches and updates at no additional cost, improving their ability to complete the transformation of their data center into a private cloud while further increasing their return on investment."

With SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware®, early adopter companies such as Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) are already starting to take advantage of the VMware and Novell offering.

"OCLC is running 2,000 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) virtual machines on VMware vSphere™ using 120 physical hosts, saving OCLC time and money," Gene Oliver, Executive Director, Systems Management, OCLC. Furthermore, by taking advantage of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware®, OCLC has adhered to its public purpose of furthering access to information and reducing costs for libraries."

Novell is demonstrating the full capabilities of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware® at VMworld booth #931. In addition, Joe Wagner, senior vice president and general manager of Global Alliances at Novell, and Raghu Raghuram, senior vice president and general manager of Virtualization and Cloud Platforms at VMware, will provide a demonstration of the new, joint solution at VMworld 2010 during a session entitled "Introducing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware®" on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
About Novell

Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL), a leader in intelligent workload management, through WorkloadIQ, helps organizations securely deliver and manage computing services across physical, virtual and cloud computing environments. We help customers reduce the cost, complexity, and risk associated with their IT systems through our solutions for identity and security, systems management, collaboration and Linux-based operating platforms. With our infrastructure software and ecosystem of partnerships, Novell integrates mixed IT environments, allowing people and technology to work as one. For more information, visit www.novell.com.
About VMware

VMware (NYSE: VMW) delivers virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions that enable IT organizations to energize businesses of all sizes. With the industry leading virtualization platform – VMware vSphere™ – customers rely on VMware to reduce capital and operating expenses, improve agility, ensure business continuity, strengthen security and go green. With 2009 revenues of $2 billion, more than 190,000 customers and 25,000 partners, VMware is the leader in virtualization which consistently ranks as a top priority among CIOs. VMware is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the world and can be found online at www.vmware.com.

VMware, VMware vSphere and VMworld are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. The use of the word "partner" or "partnership" does not imply a legal partnership relationship between VMware and any other company.

Press Contact
Ian Bruce, Novell, Inc., Telephone: +1 781 464-8034
Nick Fuentes, VMware Global Communications, 650-427-1104
Alex Kirschner, OutCast Communications for VMware, (415)392-8282