I agree the current software deployment is broken, specially with software that requires multiple server pieces such as a web server, database, PHP runtime and so on. This is often the case for open source software. But no need to go all the way to running virtual machines to fix it, when alternatives to easily install open source software already exist and do not need a virtualization layer, running native on Windows, OS X and Linux. Similarly, and longer term, with Ubuntu becoming the de-facto Linux and coming out with more and more software out-of-the-box, the need to even install third-party software diminishes.

I think you left out one alternative... products like BEA's Virtual Edition (VE)

Virtual Appliances will go a long way to ending deployment hell if a systems administrator can simply start a vendor's application on a pre-configured appliance. But what about the maintenance or the underlying OS or security patches? Systems Admins will need visibility into those appliances before they even let them start in their environments. Tools are now available that can discover the contents of off-line VMs and report on the OS content and patch levels.

This technique will increase "silos", from what I can tell. How do you integrate (which is different than interface) multiple virtual machines - this is like having each room of a house have its own infrastructure - doesn't sound too practical - another "silver bullet"?

I marvel at the media's need to say this next great thing compete's with this current great thing. Repeatedly, the media gets it wrong - whether it's high tech or sports or anything.

I am very intrigued by the Virtual Appliance for applications behind a company's firewall, but I don't see how that compete's with SaaS.

I'm in a somewhat unique position of being a software provider (Kenexa is a SaaS vendor) and a software purchaser for internal applications. I like the possibility of the Virtual Appliance simplifying the deployment of my behind-the-firewall applications.

However, most companies that are attracted to SaaS vendors focus on numerous benefits besides physical deployment. SaaS vendors provide fast implementations, training, expertise, simplicity, the ability to focus on core applications such as Logistics, Order Mgmt or Mfg, fixed monthly fees, and lowering the barrier to switching (avoiding the full license fee up front). SaaS will continue to be a very attractive option and will not be impacted by Virtual Appliances.

As long as SaaS vendors provide quality solutions and service they will be the best in class solution for many application solutions.

The reader who posted that there is an 'easy to install' linux solution and that ubuntu is 'the standard' is missing reality. Installing anything on Linux requires some real expertise, and no system is 'generic'. Also, if you want to hear a real good set of arguments, bring up Fedora, Red Hat and Ubuntu in the middle of some Linux programmers. Standard? Ha! One last thing, there is no way Ubuntu will have 'everything' so that installing 3rd party apps won't be necessary. No company has everything - not Oracle, Apple, Microsoft - NO ONE. What kind of a naive comment this is...

Speaking from an admittedly biased view (4+ years at VMware, 1.5 at Scalent), I think the entire "Virtual Appliance" debate dodges a thornier question -- is this really going to cause less work, or is it just another packaging format?

Consider -- IDCs own study (mentioned in the article) also stated that only ~24% of servers in enterprise data centers were expected to run hypervisors (of any type) this year, rising to only ~40+% in the next years.

If that's true, even if a single virtual appliance can run on -any- of the various hypervisors, how's this so different from standard Linux .RPM files or Windows Install / CABs?

(Let's not even go into the fact that every VA will still require underlying hardware network and storage attachment configuration).

Virtual Appliances are a step in the right direction, but I'd submit that they must be accompanied by other hardware-masking management systems. (Again, I'm biased - but I work where I do because I believe in the above statement, not vice-versa).

when deploying vmware esx, you'll want to check out vkernel's suite of virtual appliances for systems management. they are leading the space in enterprise cost visibility, chargeback and capacity management. www.vkernel.com

This article provides an excellent executive overview.

It is clear that VMWare, Microsoft and Citrix consider this technology to be strategic, i.e., they are investing in anticipation of growth and are evangelizing, although no one seems to have made any money on it so far. VMWare opened the Virtual Appliance Marketplace in 2006 but the downalods for their most popular appliances number a few hundred. Until the major software vendors, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, etc., rationalize their licensing, the growth will be driven by open source stacks.

http://sharevm.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/virtual-appliance-a-survey/