This new emphasis on cloud or grid computing is part of an ambitious road map that VMware will detail at its 2008 VMworld conference in Las Vegas, which kicks off Sept. 16. VMware, which despite competition from Microsoft, Citrix and others is still considered the leader in x86 virtualization, is also looking to offer new ways to create a virtual desktop environment that take advantage of cloud computing as well.

This new cloud computing initiative, which VMware is calling the Virtual Datacenter OS (VDC-OS), is scheduled to start rolling out with new products and services in 2009, said Bogomil Balkansky, VMware’s senior director for product marketing. VMware CEO and President Paul Maritz, a former Microsoft executive who headed up EMC’s cloud computing efforts, is expected to detail the road map, which includes Virtual Datacenter, during his Sept. 16 keynote address.

While VMware will highlight its efforts at the VMworld show, the company’s executives do not plan to offer pricing guidelines or a specific timetable for when the new products will be available.

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