In a move that demonstrates the growing link between server vendors and server virtualization software suppliers, Citrix and Hewlett-Packard today announced a joint development and resale arrangement.
The deal calls for a previously announced enhanced version of Citrix's XenServer software to ship with 64-bit ProLiant servers in a package distributed by both Citrix and HP, starting March 31. Pricing for the package, called the Citrix XenServer HP Select Edition, will start at about $300 per server.
The OEM relationship covers HP's ProLiant servers, including BladeSystems. It is Citrix's fourth partnership of this type, following similar deals with NEC, Dell, and Chinese technology giant Lenovo.
According to Simon Crosby, CTO of Citrix's XenServer division, the integration with HP is more extensive than that with other server suppliers, because HP has integrated its virtualization management console with the hypervisor. (More on that momentarily.)
HP also has agreements with VMware and Microsoft to package those vendors' virtualization software with ProLiant servers, and HP plans to ship its VMware-integrated bundle on March 31, along with the Citrix combo. The Microsoft integration will ship only after Microsoft's Hyper-V Server hits the streets.
