SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is an industry supported and proven server operating system; SLES for VMware simplifies and streamlines deployment and support of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server in VMware environments.

Customers will benefit from:

• Easier, more cost effective way to deploy and maintain SUSE Linux Enterprise Server in vSphere environments
• Integrated purchasing and support experience for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and vSphere
• Broad application support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server running on VMware vSphere
• A single, streamlined solution for VMware virtual appliances

ISV partners will benefit from:

• Unified certification experience available jointly from VMware and SUSE together with the benefits of each company's partner program including training and an expanded market for their applications. Read the full program details.
• Continued support to author virtual appliances via SUSE Studio ^TMor VMware VM Studio ^TM.

With this VMware offer, qualified customers are entitled to receive access to the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware operating system and a subscription to patches and updates at no additional cost.

What are the conditions to qualify for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware?

• Own qualified and active vSphere SnS contracts.
• Run VMware vSphere hosts of 4.0 U2 and higher
• Have an active VMware vSphere Support and Subscription (SnS) contract

For more details, please read terms & conditions.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware is a version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (currently, version 11 Service Pack 2) that runs on VMware vSphere. Existing and future ISV certifications for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server will be also valid for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware. With SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware, qualified VMware customers with active vSphere Support and Subscription will receive a subscription to patches and updates at no additional cost.

No. SLES for VMware is only available based on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP1 or later. VMware offers free patch stream for SLES for VMware only to qualified customers for the supported SLES versions.

Yes, VMware fully supports all versions of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. Customers can continue to deploy SUSE Linux Enterprise Server in their VMware vSphere environments should they decide to so. Read the VMware Compatibility Guide to learn about which version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server are supported in VMware vSphere.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server customers should renew their subscriptions as usual in order to continue receiving maintenance and support, unless otherwise notified by SUSE or VMware in the future.

VMware customers will receive one subscription to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware per vSphere license.

Each SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware subscription is valid for the term of the associated vSphere SnS contract.

Yes, existing and future ISV certifications for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server will be also valid for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server currently has more than 6,000 certified applications.

Yes, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware is available for both x86 and x86-64.

VMware has made SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware generally available on September 1st 2010.

• Read terms and conditions.
• Visit the Complementary Product Eligibility Portal. Follow the instructions and submit the vSphere license keys for the vSphere hosts where you plan to deploy SLES for VMware. If entitled, follow the getting started instructions to turn on your subscription to patches and updates and download the SLES for VMware .iso.

No. Being active on vSphere SnS is a requirement to qualify for the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware subscription, but vSphere SnS does not include technical support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware. On September 1st 2010, VMware also announced the technical support options available for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware at an additional cost.

VMware offers phone support option for SLES for VMware 11 SP1 or later.

VMware’s support lifecycle policy for SLES for VMware is the same as the one applied by SUSE to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

VMware will be delivering technical support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware.

Yes, VMware Reseller Partners will be able to resell VMware’s technical support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware.

There is no limit. Customers can run an unlimited number of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware virtual machines per qualified vSphere host. Please refer to the terms & conditions for further details.

Customers can configure as many vCPUs in a SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware virtual machine as entitled by their vSphere Edition.

Yes. Customers can use VMware VMotion to migrate virtual machines running SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware among any qualified vSphere hosts. Please read the terms & conditions for further details.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware is based on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP2, which is officially supported only on vSphere 4.0 U2 or higher versions.

No.

SUSE and VMware have a strategic partnership and have collaborated to enhance and optimize SUSE Linux Enterprise Server to run on VMware virtual environments. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is an industry proven operating system with broad application support. With this expanded partnership, VMware and SUSE will bring additional benefits to customers by lowering cost, and streamlining support.

This offering does not mark any change in VMware’s long-standing strategy of operating system neutrality. Our commitment to provide the greatest flexibility and freedom of choice for guest operating systems and other IT infrastructure components remains unchanged. Today, VMware vSphere supports more than 60 different versions of operating systems, by far the largest number among any virtualization platform. VMware vSphere customers can confidently continue to choose the guest operating system that best fits their needs.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for VMware is not integrated into vSphere; it is a stand-alone product. Separation between virtualization platform and operating system is still a central element of our technology strategy for our hypervisor architecture. Unlike other virtualization vendors, VMware firmly believes that a virtualization platform should not be part of a general purpose operating system.