Oracle has released the new version of its open source, cross-platform virtualisation software, VM VirtualBox 4.2, which claims to support Windows, Mac, Linux and Oracle Solaris platforms.
VM VirtualBox 4.2 includes new features designed to streamline management, improve network capabilities and provide support for new host, guest operating system platforms.
Oracle VM VirtualBox 4.2 includes new VM Group feature that enables grouping of Vms to manage larger numbers of similar virtual machines, enabling administrators or users to operate on any number of VMs all at once, through a graphical user interface, APIs, and command line tools.
The VMs does not require user interaction and can now be started within Oracle VM VirtualBox the same way as standard VMs. All types of virtual machines can be started automatically after the host system is booted, allowing virtual machines to be managed similarly to other host services.
Release 4.2 increases the maximum number of network cards per VM from eight to 36 to simulate complex networks without the need to procure costly hardware and also includes new network bandwidth controls to prevent any VM from taking more than its allocated share of network traffic.
VM VirtualBox 4.2 adds support for Windows 8, Mac OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion," and Oracle Linux 6.3. It also includes a virtual network card that supports VLAN tagging, allowing VMs to participate in VLAN environments.
Oracle Linux and Virtualization Engineering senior vice president Wim Coekaerts said as a free, open source virtualisation software that supports Windows, Mac, Linux and Oracle Solaris platforms, users can install Oracle VM VirtualBox 4.2 on their preferred host platform and run a huge variety of guest operating systems in virtual machines.
"Oracle VM VirtualBox 4.2 makes it even easier and more efficient for users to manage virtual machines with VM Groups, new startup options, and new network tuning capabilities," Coekaerts said.
