SWsoft is on target to deliver a beta version of its Parallels virtualisation server software in the next couple of months.

The Parallels release is significant because it allows Windows, Linux, Macintosh and Solaris servers to run multiple operating systems on one box, offering a significant challenge to x86 virtualisation pioneer VMware. Parallels has already built a string reputation for running Windows on Mac desktops.

In an exclusive interview with IT Week, SWsoft chief executive Serguei Beloussov said, “The alpha release is stable and we’re just working on adding features such as Fibre Channel support. We plan to have commercial availability by year end.”