Apple virtualises Leopard...sort of

Those early adopters of Apple's latest, the Leopard server operating system (OS) X 10.5, have noticed a subtle yet significant change in its end user licence agreement (EULA).

The EULA now allows users to install and use "one copy of the Mac OS X Server software on a single Apple-labelled computer".

This essentially means, in a change from previous OS server versions, that Apple is allowing virtualisation of Leopard server, granting the ability to run the new OS in a virtual machine.

But the EULA said: "You may also install and use other copies of Mac OS X Server Software on the same Apple-labelled computer, provided that you acquire an individual and valid licence from Apple for each of these other copies of Mac OS X Server Software."

So the catches are that Leopard's desktop OS cannot be virtualised, as well as the server version. And virtualising Leopard server can only take pace on Apple branded equipment. At the same time, each virtual machine requires a separate licence of Leopard Server to prevent the re-use of individual copies.

Despite the caveats independent software vendor (ISV) and virtualisation provider with its Parallels product for Mac, SWsoft said this EULA change is a significant one from Apple's usual virtualisation policy.

"It is a very positive step forward and indication of how [this development will] make life easier for hundreds of thousands of users worldwide," said Benjamin Rudolph, who writes the official blog for SWsoft.

"We know from many of you that the "holy grail" of XServes is to run multiple, isolated, near-native instances of OS X Server on the same box, at the same time. Couple that with the ability to run Windows and Linux next to those instances of OS X via Parallels Server and you've just made XServes even more compelling for enterprises large and small, even non traditional Apple shops."

But Rudolph warned that enabling Leopard Server to run in a virtual machine may take some time, "but we're working hard on it with Apple and will make it public as quickly as possible," he added.

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