"As virtualization continues to permeate IT shops, many independent software vendors (ISVs) are distributing software as Linux virtual appliances: preconfigured virtual machines that include the application's entire stack, including the operating system. But industry experts say that end users should research and understand the design of these virtual appliances before bringing them into their environment.
"Traditionally, vendors have based appliances on Linux so by preconfiguring their software on a dedicated x86 server..."
