Microsoft's Virtual PC 2004 -- a product intended to ease the sometimes arduous migration to Windows XP -- has been released to manufacturing. Virtual PC allows customers to run multiple operating systems on a single, consolidated desktop machine, preserving access to legacy applications that remain in use. But no official support is provided for non-Windows x86 environments such as Linux or Solaris.
Another function of Microsoft's virtualization software targets helpdesk and training personnel, allowing them to switch between operating systems and disparate configurations on the fly.
Last April, a pre-beta deliverable version of Virtual PC 2004 leaked from internal Microsoft servers, offering a glimpse of the final product before it officially reached the hands of testers.

Many features, including virtual SCSI disk support, were disabled at the time, and Microsoft stressed that its code was not ready for production environments.

Since the software's unofficial public debut, Microsoft has worked to fine tune the marriage of its own feature set and those carried over from Connectix, Virtual PC's original caretaker.

New features succeeding the final release of Connectix's Virtual PC 5.2 for Windows include support for up to for network adapters per machine, a memory limit padded to 4 GB, and an XML based file configuration to make it easier to clone virtual machines to other desktop boxes.

"Our enterprise customers have told us that virtual machine technologies are crucial for their migration needs," said Rob Short, corporate vice president in the Windows division at Microsoft. "Microsoft Virtual PC allows those customers to benefit from the gains in reliability, security and productivity of Windows XP, while also being able to run their critical legacy applications."

According to Microsoft, "Microsoft Virtual PC also runs most x86 operating systems in the virtual machine environment with no need for custom drivers. This extensive compatibility positions customers to migrate legacy applications and consolidate desktops for dramatic cost savings."

Despite Redmond's marketing mantra, no official support is provided for non-Windows x86 operating environments such as BSD, Linux, Novell NetWare, or Sun's Solaris.

General availability of Virtual PC 2004 is expected before the end of the year with an estimated retail price of $129 USD - $100 lower than pricing under the Connectix brand. Microsoft acquired Virtual PC from Connectix earlier this year, and will provide its customers with complimentary upgrades.

(Reported By www.betanews.com)