Today's computing world provides an increasing number of choices for computing platforms. The personal computer, open systems, and hardware partitioning all compete with VM in providing end-user and programmer productivity, and supporting guest systems. Nonetheless, VM remains a highly attractive vehicle for these computing styles, as well as the client-server computing it invented. This paper provides a strategic perspective for VM, describes its strengths and weaknesses, and shows areas where VM continues to have unique advantages. The paper discusses opportunities VM creates for unifying traditional mainframe computing and emerging personal and workstation systems.
By: Jeffrey Savit