Of course, there are some basic hardware requirements, but as with any virtualization product, the more powerful the hardware, the better the overall experience. For single server installations, users will want to make sure that they have at least an AMD or Intel VT capable processor, 2Gbytes of RAM, 36Gbytes of available storage. Enterprise version of the product will, of course, need multiple systems that meet the basic requirements.

Single server and Enterprise versions of Virtual Server have different install procedures, but both are equally well documented. Once installed, all of the real action takes place from the Virtual Iron Management Server. The management server is responsible for not only “managing” the virtual infrastructure, but also runs the Virtualization Manager, which is used to discover and deploy virtual servers, and the Administration Manager, which is used to manage licenses, backups, policies and so on. Both are browser-based applications, which can be run remotely over the network.  

From the administration console, installers can launch wizards to create virtual servers, configure network parameters and so-on, all capabilities are well defined and documented. The administration console also offers the ability to monitor, reboot and reconfigure active virtual servers. After working with the Virtualization Manager, most solution providers will quickly come to realize that Virtual Iron 4.2 is very much about ease of use and ease of administration.

Volumes could be written about the product's options and capabilities and most solution providers would be best off to download and experiment with a trial version of the product to make sure the feature mix will meet their needs. That aside, solution providers will find the product stable and should not come across any significant bugs.

For the channel, Virtual Iron offers its Channel One program, which extols education and marketing support. One of the major elements of the program is the focus on building comprehensive solutions, which educates partners on how to extend virtualization technology to build up revenue. That helps VARs avoid becoming just “box” pushers into the enterprise and make the leap over to true virtualization solution providers. Channel partners will find that Virtual Iron’s software capabilities create a number of consulting and professional services opportunities, which include data center assessment, physical to virtual migration, capacity planning and utilization, implementa­tion and deployment, policy-based automation development and various managed services.

Virtual Iron's combination of technology and a friendly channel program bodes well for the company. With version 4.2, Virtual Iron has become a mainstream choice for channel partners looking to leverage the virtualization market. While companies such as VMware may still hold the upper hand when it comes to large enterprise deployments, Virtual Iron 4.2 should readily challenge the giants out there in the SMB market. The product’s low cost and ease of use should also bolster its viability in the large enterprise and at the very least make adopters think twice before putting all of their eggs in the VMware basket.