If VMware has become synonymous with server virtualization, and Microsoft continues to make inroads with its Hyper-V platform within the SMB market, and Citrix can gain traction for XenServer by leveraging its large XenApp fan base -- where does that leave Oracle and its server virtualization platform, Oracle VM?

Ever since Oracle acquired Virtual Iron and Sun xVM back in 2009, the company has been quietly evolving Oracle VM in order to move over to the big stage where it could hopefully compete head-on with the Big 3 server virtualization players -- Citrix, Microsoft, and VMware. Now Oracle has announced the latest release of its free server virtualization and management solution -- Oracle VM Server for x86, Release 3.1. The new version is designed to support rapid application deployment and simplify data center management from applications to disk.

According to the company, Oracle VM 3.1 offers a new GUI design that is engineered for faster execution of workflow and maximizes ease-of-use and reduces deployment time. It does so by providing quicker access to common tasks with improved wizards and step-by-step instructions. It also offers new capabilities designed to improve storage availability, backup support and hardware compatibility.

"Making it easier to deploy and manage enterprise applications in the data center and cloud is the driver behind Oracle's application-driven approach to virtualization," said Wim Coekaerts, senior vice president of Oracle Linux and virtualization.

Coekaerts added, "Oracle VM 3.1 introduces a number of user interface enhancements designed to improve ease of use for administrators, and storage-related features that can increase flexibility when migrating virtual machine storage repositories. With this new release, customers should find it significantly easier to manage their applications and virtual environments and at the same time lower their cost."

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Read the entire InfoWorld Virtualization Report article.