Virtualization

Supports both VMware and Microsoft; long track record in critical reliability functions; fail-over and disaster recovery for both physical and virtual servers from one vendor.

Still adapting physical server-based licensing to accommodate virtual servers as well.

Policy-based security and automated administration hits compliance and administration requirements for big users; close alliance with Microsoft; time saved automating server administration is multiplied by the number of VMs for which it can do the same.

It's a startup whose sustainability is unproven; products support VMware architecture, but Embotics was also recently named part of Microsoft's Startup Accelerator Program, and Microsoft protégé status could come with pressure to favor Hyper-V and Redmond interpretations of the virtual world.

History of solid performance and presence in a must-have part of the virtualization market; low-cost consolidated servers little good without low-cost storage; now has backing of Dell's deep pockets.

Dell is focusing heavily on the mid-market right now.

Long history and installed base of storage and disaster recovery products; record of reliability; range of applicable products; partnerships with Virtual Iron, other hot virtualization companies.

Strongest in mid-market, not among larger customers; best-known for software, all-in-one packages, which could leave the integration headache with the customer.

Multi-OS support; menu of sophisticated systems and network management products; alliances with Microsoft, VMware, most other significant players.

Relies on vendor and channel partners for most of its virtualization expertise; with no specialization in virtualization, HP runs the risk of being outpaced if VMware, Microsoft or others opt out of alliances.

Wide range of high-end servers, terminals, thin-client infrastructure and management products makes for a potent source for virtualization products.

Relies, as does HP, on partners for most of its expertise in virtualization technology; risks being left behind by more nimble vendors.

IVT is a key enabler of virtualization; dual- and quad-core chips continue to add power to servers destined to run many VMs as their key task.

Little expertise in virtualization beyond the chip; AMD nips as close on its heels in virtulization as in other areas of chipmaking.

Combination of migration tools and off-site hosting makes shift as easy as possible for customers.

Handles primarily Linux servers; in the past has lagged in feature development behind competitor Platespin, whose development is now funded by new parent Novell.