In making XenServer free for use for managing an unlimited number of virtual machines across unlimited physical hosts, Citrix is launching a major price offensive against market leader VMware. Citrix is pushing premium (as in not free) “management” features higher up the stack to the level of automated management of internal and external cloud computing.
Cost Saving Scenario
The free XenServer includes advanced features such as live migration and management of multiple virtual machines across multiple physical hosts. Consider, for example, a project to consolidate and manage 35 servers on five physical hosts (a 7:1 consolidation ratio).
