Parallels Server goes public, MacOS Server virtualization era begins

Parallels Server beta is now public according to ServerVirtualization.com and InfoWorld,  Parallels Server runs on both Xserves and Mac Pros as well as Linux and Windows machines.  The virtualization of the MacOS is only allowed on Apple machines however, according to the EULA.  As we mentioned back in November, Parallels was working closely with Apple to make this happen.  We have yet to see the Mac OSX Server running in virtualization but we should see it shortly.

Rogue copies of OSX Leopard and Tiger have been running on VMWare for awhile but because most of the drivers are unsupported and not optimized, it is a dog on performance.  An Apple blessed and supported version of this would allow a huge leap forward in speed and performance.  It would also mark a big change of direction for the company who has always had a zero tollerance policy for Virtualizing OSX.

Apple opened the door for this when they changed the server licensing wording for Leopard from Tiger.  From the Leopard Server License:

This License allows you to install and use one copy of the Mac OS X Server software (the "Mac OS X Server Software") on a single Apple-labeled computer. You may also install and use other copies of Mac OS X Server Software on the same Apple-labeled computer, provided that you acquire an individual and valid license from Apple for each of these other copies of Mac OS X Server Software.

Perhaps we’ll see something next week at Macworld?