Red Hat Introduces Virtualization with Enterprise Linux 5.4

Red Hat, Inc. has announced the availability of the fourth update to its Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 platform, providing the delivery of technology enhancements to customers via the company's subscription model. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 is the foundation of the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization portfolio of solutions and delivers expanded virtualization capabilities with the inclusion of kernel-based virtual machine (KVM) technology and Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (Intel® VT-d) and PCI-SIG SR-IOV, allowing multiple virtual machines in an Intel® Xeon® Processor 5500 Series-based platform to directly share I/O devices. While continuing to deliver a broad ecosystem of certified hardware and software to customers, the release also features improved I/O throughput and the inclusion of additional tools for developers.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 provides the integrated platform foundation for the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization portfolio of solutions. With virtualization technology that is developed as an integral part of the Linux kernel, Red Hat Enterprise Linux offers the next generation of virtualization technology. Red Hat Enterprise Linux customers deploying Xen virtualization will continue to be supported through the full lifecycle of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4, in combination with the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization portfolio of products, is intended to enhance Red Hat's leadership position in open virtualization as being the first Virtual Machine Vendor to support both Intel®VT-d and PCI-SIG SR-IOV, allowing customers to deploy virtualization pervasively.

“Red Hat Enterprise Linux plays a significant role in Red Hat's virtualization strategy, and the availability of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 with the same virtualization technology base as Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization today is a significant step in our delivery of virtualization to the market,” said Scott Crenshaw, vice president, Platform Business Unit at Red Hat. “The release also features advances in performance, security and storage that span virtual and physical environments. With this update release, Red Hat Enterprise Linux aims to raise the bar once again, offering compelling software technologies with impressive quality and reliability.” Visit Red Hat's product portal for complete technical details