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In what seems to be a very bold move by VMware we can now download for free their next generation GSX server product. Over the last year we've heard little tidbits here and there about what cool stuff we may see in GSX 4.0. Virtual SMP, 64bit guests, support for Intel VT chips... the list goes on. Now, it seems that the GSX product line will go away and will be replaced with VMware Server. Like GSX, it runs on Windows or Linux and can be used in a production server environment.

Unlike Workstation, it cannot do all the fancy teaming, cloning, sharing, snapshotting... so for those of you who ask why anyone would buy workstation when the "Server" product is free... now you know. Workstation is the cutting edge of VMware's technology. Features seen in Workstation usually do filter down into GSX (now Server) and then into ESX. At least that's the way they explained it at VMWorld 2005.

VMware will have paid support available for the new Server product. And vmdk's (virtual disks) will be very compatible with ESX, providing a clear upgrade path to VMware's flagship product.

While GSX could be managed from VirtualCenter, it seems that this feature has been left out of VMware Server, though the product comparison page suggests that this feature will return in future releases. Vmotion is not an option, and I doubt it ever will be on a non-ESX platform. Vlans are still not an option. That would be my number one pick for new features! Vlans are a Godsend!

Memory wise, the specs say that you can assign up to 3.6GB per host. That's awesome, but keep in mind that GSX and this new VMware Server only does static memory allocation. Meaning that you cannot over-sell memory like you can in ESX.

Once I get this installed, I'll post some screenshots and any notes of interest.