Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Sun xVM VirtualBox 2.0 Hypervisor Adds 64-bit Support, Bolsters Performance

Sun Microsystems this week rolled out version 2.0 of its xVM VirtualBox. The product is a cross-platform, open source hypervisor that supports hosts ranging from Mac OS X and Windows to Solaris and 18 varieties of Linux.

According to Sun, the software in all versions has surpassed 6.5 million downloads worldwide, averaging about 15,000 per day. Sun acquired VirtualBox when the company bought out German software developer innotek.

VirtualBox runs on Mac OS X (Intel hardware), Linux, Windows and OpenSolaris. It's available from Sun in two editions: standard and open source. Both are free.

New in version 2.0 is support for 64-bit versions of various operating systems, plus overall performance improvements, especially on AMD chips according to Sun. Other specifics include improved networking on Mac OS X and Solaris, as well as a new user interface for Mac OS X. A complete list of features can be found here.

While VirtualBox is free, Sun offers a new enterprise subscription to provide support for business users.

"Virtual desktops, such as those provided by the xVM VirtualBox software, are the future of business desktops because they are more flexible, manageable and secure than traditional PC architectures," said Steve Wilson, vice president, xVM, Sun Microsystems, in a statement released Thursday. "Enterprises will be thrilled with the xVM VirtualBox platform because it provides them an easier way to deliver a standard operating environment across their enterprises."

An SDK for version 2.0 has also been released.

Sun xVM VirtualBox 2.0 is available now for Mac OS X (all versions, Intel hardware only), Windows (32- and 64-bit XP, Vista, and Server 2003 and 2008), Linux (several flavors), and Solaris (32- and 64-bit, OpenSolaris build 81 and higher, Solaris 10 OS 5/08 and higher). A complete list of supported hosts is available here. Enterprise subscriptions (which start at $30 per year per user) and OEM licenses are also available.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • abstract AI technology

    New AI Command Center Helps Track AI Agents and Control Costs

    Data protection platform AvePoint has launched a command center to help organizations monitor artificial intelligence agents, addressing security risks and rising expenses as organizations deploy more automated AI tools.

  • hand typing on laptop with security and email icons

    Copilot Gets Expanded Role in Office, Outlook, and Security

    Microsoft has doubled down on its Copilot strategy, announcing new agents and capabilities that bring deeper intelligence and automation to everyday workflows in Microsoft 365.

  • abstract generative AI technology

    Apple and Google Strike AI Deal to Bring Gemini Models to Siri

    Apple and Google announced they have embarked on a multiyear partnership that will put Google's Gemini models and cloud technology at the core of the next generation of Apple Foundation Models, a move that could help Apple accelerate long-promised upgrades to Siri while handing Google a high-profile distribution win on the iPhone.

  • Businessman holding Chatbot with binary code, message and data 3d rendering

    Anthropic Criticizes OpenAI Ad Strategy

    Anthropic recently launched a multi-million dollar Super Bowl advertising campaign criticizing OpenAI's decision to start showing ads within ChatGPT.