F5 Upgrades Windows-Based Virtualization Support

F5 Networks Inc. (FFIV) has announced a new F5 Management Pack solution for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager that allows joint F5 and Microsoft customers to dynamically manage application delivery in virtual environments. F5 also updated its Application Ready Solution portfolio to support Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2.

These F5 solutions offer optimization and increased availability for virtual environments, enabling IT staff to make better decisions regarding applications running in the virtual environment, and automating virtual machine management, the company said.

“The benefits offered by Application Delivery Controllers (ADCs) apply to all applications, whether they’re deployed on physical or virtual servers,” said Calvin Rowland, vice president of Application Partner Programs at F5. “One of the primary challenges faced by companies who deploy applications on virtual servers is the management of those virtual machines. F5’s solution for System Center Virtual Machine Manager is designed with virtual environments in mind, enabling customers to realize significant business value through faster rollout times, cost savings, and flexibility.”

F5 has added Performance and Resource Optimization (PRO) capabilities to the F5 Management Pack, introduced in April. The PRO-enabled Management Pack, in combination with Microsoft System Center Operations Manager and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2, provides customers with enhanced visibility into both the application delivery network and the server environment, enabling IT teams to proactively monitor and dynamically manage application delivery as network or user conditions change. In addition, the F5 Management Pack now proactively offers tips to improve application delivery.

The F5 PRO-enabled Management Pack is a free download from F5’s DevCentral community.