Novell Compatibility Program for Virtualization
YES Certified and Novell Ready
Virtualization is a hot topic in enterprise IT - with good reason. The benefits of virtualization are hard to ignore:
- Far better use of data center computing resources maximizing hardware investments
- Cost savings in energy, space, and maintenance
- Simplified management, enhanced security, improved reliability
These compelling benefits are driving an increasing number of customers to deploy virtualization technologies. Virtualizaton has become a “not if, but when” conversation. Recent announcements from Novell customers BMW and Sumitomo Electric Industries and with partner SAP are just a few examples.
BMW and virtualization: Press Release
Sumitomo Electric Industries and virtualization: Press Release, Video Profile
SAP and virtualization:Press Release
Take Advantage of the Virtualization Trend
The Novell Compatibility Program for Virtualization enables Independent Hardware and Software Vendors (IHVs/ISVs) to take advantage of the virtualization trend by helping customers easily identify hardware and software that is compatibility tested and supported with virtualization technologies delivered by Novell.
IHVs and ISVs can test and certify their products within a SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 virtualized environment, increasing customers' confidence in their solutions and strengthening their partnership with Novell.
For hardware and kernel-based software applications, the Novell Virtualization Compatibility Program builds upon the Novell YES Certified Program and IHVs/ISVs receive the YES Certified logo. For software applications running in user-space, ISVs receive the Novell Ready logo.
YES Certified in Virtualized Environments
Partners self-test hardware or kernel-based software using a YES Certified test kit to certify:
| YES Certified for: | Virtual Machine Monitor | Virtualization Host Server | Virtual Machine (Guest OS) |
| Hardware | Xen | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 | n/a |
| Kernel-based software | Xen | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1(1) | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1(2) |
| Guest OS (VM) | Xen | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 SP3 Open Enterprise Server 2 NetWare 6.5 SP7 Windows Server “Longhorn” (future) Windows Server 2003 R2 |
Examples: (1) Driver accessing hardware e.g. network cards. (2) Driver accessing kernel space e.g. additional file system like OCFS2
- The YES Certified logo demonstrates the highest level of compatibility with Novell products. It ensures compatibility, interoperability, quality and support from both the product vendor and Novell.
- The support of the guest operating system is subject to discussion between Novell and the guest OS vendor and may vary from vendor to vendor.
- Vendors who have previously been YES Certified for native environments need to re-certify for virtual environments and receive a special YES Certified logo.
- By successfully completing stringent YES Certified requirements, Novell Partners are authorized to display the YES Certified logo.
Specific information about participating in the YES Certified Program
Novell Ready for Virtualized Environments
Self-directed testing allows ISVs to state application compatibility and support for:
| Novell Ready for: | Virtual Machine Monitor | Virtualization Host Server | Virtual Machine (Guest OS) |
| User-space software applications | Xen | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 SP3 Open Enterprise Server 2 NetWare 6.5 SP7 |
| n/a | Microsoft Virtual Server | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 SP3 Open Enterprise Server 2 NetWare 6.5 SP7 |
|
| VMWare | ESX | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 SP3 Open Enterprise Server 2 NetWare 6.5 SP7 |
|
| Microsoft Hypervisor | Windows Longhorn (future) | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 |
- Ready logo ensures customers the same compatibility and support of the application with Novell products in native as well as virtualized environments.
- IMPORTANT: Applications which have already received the Ready logo for SUSE Linux Enterprise 10, SUSE Linux Enterprise 9, Open Enterprise Server 2 and NetWare 6.5 SP7 in native environments are not required to retest virtual environments to claim compatibility.
- The ISV will provide support for the application in accordance with its standard policies.
Specific information about participating in the Novell Ready Program.
SUPPORTED in Virtualized Environments
A compatibility logo provided by Novell for certain guest operating systems:
| SUPPORTED for: | Virtual Machine Monitor | Virtualization Host Server | Virtual Machine (Guest OS) |
| Guest operating systems | Xen | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1 | Windows 2000 Windows XP Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 |
- SUPPORTED logo is issued by Novell to operating systems vendors with operating systems running as tested guest in a SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 virtualized environment
- Testing is conducted by Novell
- The SUPPORTED logo ensures customer that support will be available for the Novell portion listed
Benefits of YES Certified or Ready for Virtualizaiton:
- Help customers easily identify your solution as compatible with virtualizaiton technologies delivered by Novell
- Use the YES Certified or Novell Ready logo when promoting your solution in virtualized environments
- List your product in the Novell Partner Product Guide (includes YES Certified bulletin if available)
- YES Certified: Automatic publication of your YES Certified test bulletin in the YES Certified bulletin database
- YES Certified: Close support relationship with Novell providing best service level to mutual customers
- YES Certified: Competitive differentiator by demonstrating solution's support of virtualized environments along with higher quality due to more rigorous testing
Frequently Asked Questions
For answers to common questions about the YES Certified and Novell Ready Programs, review Frequently Asked Questions.