Earlier this week, Sun Microsystems announced new, multi-year agreements with three major Original Equipment Manufacturers including Avanquest Software, Q-layer and Zenith InfoTech to increase the global market of its open-source virtualization solution Sun xVM VirtualBox

Virtualization allows software developers to run multiple operating systems side-by-side without having to reboot, simplifying the process of testing software across multiple operating systems. OEMs benefit by being able to use Sun xVM VirtualBox as a distribution mechanism for their own software solutions. Being a miniscule 20MB download, and taking only 5 minutes to install while also being highly modular makes Sun xVM VirtualBox ideal as an embedded component.

"Sun xVM VirtualBox has become hugely popular with developers and power users, and with a modular core that enables it to be embedded in many other solutions, Sun xVM VirtualBox is expanding its reach to new audiences," said Steve Wilson, vice president for xVM at Sun Microsystems.

Avanquest Software intends to produce and publish a bundle including OpenSolaris and Sun xVM VirtualBox. Avanquest also said that it will produce a solution for running the Windows operating system on the Apple Mac beginning this fall. Andy Goldstein, European Chief Operation Officer for Avanquest Software said that "there’s a huge need for cross-platform virtualization technologies that enable the growing Mac population to still use Windows-based software".

Q-Layer, a leader in cloud computing through the use of Virtual Private Data Centers is using Sun xVM VirtualBox to create datacenter virtualization solutions for its customers. "Q-layer’s Virtual Private Data Center helps customers fully realize the benefits of cloud computing" said Kristof De Spiegeleer, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Q-Layer.

Zenith Infotech uses Sun xVM VirtualBox for its flexibility and performance, significantly reducing the company’s costs and deployment time of its managed services solutions. The company has also built a Network Attached Storage appliance using Sun xVM VirtualBox for small and medium-sized businesses.