VMware, Inc. , the global leader in virtualization solutions from the desktop to the datacenter, today announced it has qualified its industry-leading VMware ESX hypervisor under the Microsoft Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP). VMware ESX 3.5 update 2 (ESX 3.5u2) is the first hypervisor to be listed under the program, providing VMware customers who run Windows Server and Microsoft applications with access to cooperative support from Microsoft and VMware.

“Virtualization is now well within the IT mainstream and our relationship with Microsoft underscores how far virtualization has come by providing VMware ESX users with access to valuable support for their virtualized Microsoft applications,” said Bogomil Balkansky, senior director of product marketing, VMware. “VMware and Microsoft are working cooperatively to help ensure that our joint customers can employ the benefits of virtualization along with the peace of mind that professional product support can provide.”