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Hewlett-Packard is adding another virtualization option to its blade server line.

The OEM signed a reseller agreement with Scalent Systems Nov. 26. Under the deal, HP will begin reselling Scalent’s Virtual Operating Environment, or V/OE, in December. The software allows users to increase hardware utilization and flexibility in the data center by decoupling the application from the physical resources. This allows users to view the hardware as a single pool of resources that can be quickly repurposed depending on demand.

With the announcement, HP is looking to offer customers more options when it comes to virtualization technology, including software that is less expensive than the high-end enterprise offerings from market leader VMware. The fact that HP is offering the software through its BladeSystem c-Class portfolio could keep the company competitive with IBM at a time when the two companies control about 75 percent of the blade market.

The Scalent software supports Windows, Linux and Sun Microsystems’ Solaris operating system. In addition to HP, Scalent also has OEM agreements with Sun and IBM.

Read the full story on eWEEK.com: HP Expands Virtualization Options for Blades