DataCore Software, the industry’s premier provider of storage virtualization software, announced today that during VMworld 2011 it will offer free license keys of its breakthrough SANsymphony - V 8.1 storage hypervisor to VMware vExperts, VMware Certified Design Experts (VCDX), VMware Certified Professionals (VCP) and VMware Certified Instructors (VCI). The not-for-resale (NFR) license keys – available for non-production uses such as course development, training, lab testing and demonstration purposes – are intended to support virtualization consultants, instructors and architects involved in efforts aimed at managing and fully leveraging storage assets.

“Storage has been the forgotten tier of virtualization, routinely stalling projects and adding unforeseen complications and costs,” said Linda Haury, vice president worldwide marketing at DataCore Software. “By providing the SANsymphony-V storage hypervisor to these experts for home and office labs, they’ll be able to educate others about the most effective means for leveraging storage assets, a move which will advance virtualization adoption and benefit the industry as a whole.”

Unveiled this week, SANsymphony-V 8.1 is a portable, centrally-managed software suite capable of enhancing the combined value of multiple disk storage systems, including the many purpose-built storage appliances and solid state disks (SSD) type devices arriving to the market daily. The storage hypervisor supplements the individual capabilities of specialized equipment with a broad range of device-independent, integrated services. The SANsymphony-V software executes on physical and virtual servers or can co-reside with server hypervisors. Other major features include, but are not limited to, automated tiering and continuous data protection (CDP).

The free NFR license keys of SANsymphony-V 8.1 are available during VMworld, being held August 29 – September 1 at the Venetian in Las Vegas. The licenses may be used for non-production purposes only.

To receive a free license key, please visit the DataCore’s booth (#1321) or sign up next week at: www.datacore.com/freeNFR; proof of VMware vExpert, VCDX, VCP and VCI certification is required.