Red Hat and IBM join forces to develop open source virtualisation

Red Hat and IBM are working together to develop projects based on Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) technology, an open source virtualisation solution for the enterprise.

KVM allows businesses to create multiple virtual versions of Linux and Windows environments on the same server, while allowing companies to save money by consolidating and sharing IT resources without the expense of a proprietary solution.

They aim to do this through joint development projects and enablement of the KVM ecosystem, with focus on datacentre automation, virtual storage and networking, security and appliance management.

"We believe that open source virtualisation solutions give our partners freedom from lock-in and the ability to take advantage of the rapid innovation that the open source model enables," said Scott Crenshaw, vice president and general manager, Cloud Business Unit at Red Hat.

The Brazilian Federal Highway Police (DPRF) is already using a solution that combines IBM hardware and Red Hat Enterprise virtualisation, using KVM technology.

"After trying four different solutions available in the market, Red Hat offered us just what we needed to build our virtualised system," said Lourival Filho at DPRF.

"In the final results, it offered us energy savings, easier management of assets and more availability for services.

"Compared with proprietary solutions, we saved more than 80 per cent of the overall cost."