"VMware, which sells software to run numerous operating systems
at the same time on a single computer, named a new chief financial
officer and announced a new server version of its product
Tuesday...."
"VMware GSX Server lets customers split up a server into several
"virtual machines," each a separate version of an operating system
and software, but all able to share the same hardware. The server
software also comes in a more expensive ESX version that has more
sophisticated software underpinnings designed for more demanding
environments and use on multiprocessor servers."
"The object of the software is to bring mainframe-like features
to cheaper Intel-based servers, letting computing tasks run in
separate compartments where they won't interfere with each other.
The penalty is that each virtual machine requires its own memory
and other computing resources, requiring that more powerful systems
be purchased."