Citrix, NetApp Deliver Virtualization Solution

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTXS), the global leader in application delivery infrastructure, and NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP), a leading provider of innovative data management solutions, today announced a global, strategic partnership to deliver a complete server virtualization solution capable of leveraging the power of NetApp storage solutions. Citrix XenServer™ Adapter for NetApp Data ONTAP® enables customers to unlock the power of virtualized storage in Citrix XenServer environments. This jointly developed certified solution simplifies virtual machine creation and management by allowing customers to centrally manage storage configuration and provisioning from a single console, making it one of the industry’s few virtualization solutions optimized for storage environments. Citrix and NetApp are building on their existing relationship and extending virtualized data management environment capabilities included in Citrix XenServer 4.1, which began shipping today.

The growth of virtual servers has complicated the way in which many IT professionals approach networked storage by requiring additional new layers of management software or disruptive changes to the underlying storage architecture. Unlike other server virtualization solutions, Citrix XenServer features an open architecture that allows customers to manage storage in the same way for both their physical and virtual server environments. The Citrix XenServer Adapter for NetApp Data ONTAP takes this one step further by allowing customers to access all the storage features in NetApp Data ONTAP directly from the XenServer management console. This approach dramatically simplifies the process of implementing virtual servers in NetApp networked storage environments and enables customers to leverage their existing investments in storage infrastructure without retraining users or implementing new layers of management when using the NetApp V-Series systems.

“ManageOperations has successfully deployed both Citrix XenServer virtualization software and NetApp Storage for customers such as T-Systems and Daimler, automating the management of their large computer centers running anywhere from 3,000 – 8,000 servers,” said Jim Corrigan, Founder of Manage Operations. “After looking at the beta product for Citrix XenServer integrated into NetApp, we are excited about a storage-optimized virtualization solution that will enable our customers to leverage familiar software to add server virtualization capabilities and manage it all through one central management console.”

Citrix Systems Inc.