Open source software firm Red Hat is to release its own virtualisation hypervisor, capable of hosting both its Enterprise Linux and Microsoft Windows environments.

The lightweight Embedded Linux Hypervisor is based on the open source KVM project, and will support live migration of virtual machines from system to system in real time.

Open source virtualisation technology would "deliver what proprietary products can't: open standards, true multi-vendor support and the ultimate in deployment and operational flexibility," said Paul Cormeir, president of products and technology at Red Hat in a statement.

The hypervisor will be support by the accompanying release of Red Hat Virtual Infrastructure Management, a console for managing virtual environments. Both the hypervisor and management console are currently in beta testing; a full release is pencilled in by the end of the year.

Red Hat also launched an open source initiative to advance the development of integrated security technologies for virtualised environments.