Virtualization Support in Sun Middleware

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Virtualization enables the execution of multiple operating-system instances on shared hardware. Over the past few years, virtualization platforms, most notably VMware and the open-source Sun xVM VirtualBox, have been gaining popularity at an impressive rate of adoption. According to a May 29 blog posting by Sun VP Steve Wilson, "[S]ince [xVM VirtualBox's] recent version 1.6 release, we've been averaging over 10,000 downloads per day."

A frequent question from partners and customers is whether they can deploy Sun Java Enterprise System middleware¹—called Sun middleware in the rest of this article—in the various virtualization environments. This article answers that question and clarifies a few historically gray areas.

¹ Sun Java Application Platform Suite, Sun Java Identity Management Suite, Sun Java Composite Application Platform Suite, Sun Java B2B Suite, Sun Java ESB Suite, and Sun Java Web Infrastructure Suite

In April, Sun published a document on the details of support offered by Sun middleware for system virtualization products and technologies. Listed are the virtualization platforms and guest operating systems that are supported by Sun.

In general, deployment of Sun middleware works in virtualization environments as stated in this sentence in the document:

If you intend to deploy Sun middleware products within system virtualized environments, Sun will support such use as long as the OS platform and architecture are supported by the Sun product and the underlying layers of the deployment stack are supported by their respective owners.

This approach provides a high degree of flexibility to Sun's customers. In addition, the approach minimizes risks by requiring that each element of a deployment stack be supported by the other elements.

The following Q&As shed light on other aspects of Sun's approach.

Q: What are the specific versions of the Sun middleware in question?

The support statement addresses all currently supported versions of Sun middleware. Since some older versions of the middleware products do not support the latest versions of the Solaris OS and other platforms, be sure to compare those products' OS support matrix with your deployment needs.

Q: Where can I find a list of all the system virtualization technologies supported by Sun?

The support document lists those virtualization technologies with which Sun tests its middleware. Given the length of the list of virtualization technologies, the best we might be able to convey (and maintain) is a few examples. By listing examples, however, we run the risk of implying that Sun supports them better than others.

Note, in particular, the catch-all section, "Support for System Virtualization Products and Features Not Listed," at the bottom of the support document. It spells out Sun's commitment for them all, albeit subject to a few constraints.

Q: How do I find out if Sun does support a certain virtualization technology?

Since the development of system virtualization is fast evolving, Sun will update the the support document as frequently as practicable. Joining the list soon will be Solaris 9 Containers, Sun xVM VirtualBox, and Sun xVM Server.

Q: Can I obtain guidance from Sun on how to deploy to a certain virtualization technology?

Real-world deployments require proper sizing and tuning of virtualized resources, often on a case-by-case basis. The related Sun teams are committed to publishing practical, well-tested tips and guidance. Stay tuned please.

For reference resources, see the Sun BigAdmin Virtualization Category.