Intel, Microsoft Collaborating On Virtualization Technology

SAN FRANCISCO — Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. plan to connect computer network management technologies and work together to advance virtualization technology, the companies said Tuesday (March 7) at the Intel Developer Forum here.

The world's No. 1 chip and software companies said Intel would connect its new Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) with Microsoft's Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003, a development that the companies said would substantially enhance customers' ability to more thoroughly protect computers from viruses and lower maintenance costs.

Intel (Santa Clara, Calif.) and Microsoft (Redmond, Wash.) have also joined together to extend Intel Virtualization Technology to include support for mapping input/output devices to virtual machines on servers with a new specification, published today, called Intel Virtualization for Directed I/O, the companies said. Microsoft collaborated with Intel on development of this specification, the companies said.

"Intel and Microsoft SMS will mean relief for those who manage computer networks who have struggled to effectively control virus outbreaks, audit networked PCs or handle computer problems without affecting users' productivity," said Pat Gelsinger, Intel senior vice president and general manager of the company's digital enterprise group, in a statement.