SWsoft has launched the beta version of Parallels Server, which is the company’s server virtualization software. The new version is touted to be the very first virtualization software that has the ability to operate on Apple’s Mac OS X Server v10.5 Leopard virtualized on Mac.

Developed by SWsoft, Parallels Server is an initiative, by the company that has the distinction of bringing the Mac world its first virtual machine software immediately after Apple’s transition to Intel processors.

The new software is aimed at departments of huge ventures along with SMBs and it enables x86-based hardware run Windows operating systems and applications. In addition it is compatible with Linux-based servers too.

According to SWsoft, Parallels Server can be installed in two ways: firstly by using the Parallels hypervisor when the virtual machines run along with a primary OS; or alternatively with the virtual machines operating without depending on a host operating system. During the installation process, users need to choose one out of the two modes.

SWsoft further boasted that the new Parallels Server Beta software has the ability to offer support for any combination of over 50 different guest OSs, including Windows Server 2008, SuSE Enterprise Linux, Red Hat Linux, Sun Solaris, and others running concurrently in isolated virtual machines. The software supports Intel’s “second generation” virtualization technology, dubbed Virtualization Technology for Directed, or VT-d.

Interestingly, with the new software, Mac IT professionals will get an added advantage as Parallels Server has the ability to run Mac OS X Server “sandboxed,” which makes it possible for admins to test patches, deploy new software and experiment without negotiating on the production hardware and full network security front.

SWsoft’s Parallels Server also claims to support Apple’s newly released updated Mac Pro and Xserve hardware, thereby enabling new Mac OS X Server configurations to support multiple virtualized operating systems simultaneously.

In a gist, below are the main features of SWsoft’s Parallels Server beta version software:

• The ability to run any combination of more than 50 different x86 and x64 guest operating systems in secure, high-performing virtual machines, plus the option to run virtual machines in the headless mode via a “bare metal” hypervisor
• Parallels Server’s industry-first capability to simultaneously run multiple copies of Mac OS X Server, Windows Server and Linux on the same Xserve
• Running Parallels Server on Apple hardware gives users the industry-first option to run Mac OS X Server in a virtual machine
• Remote control of the virtual machines via the Parallels Management Console
• Support for up to 64Gb of RAM on the host computer
• Full support for x64 primary and guest OSes, as well as 2-way SMP in virtual machines. The final release version will support up to 4-way SMP
• Multi-user access to the same virtual machine
• Support for ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) in virtual machines
• Completely open, fully scriptable APIs for customized management
• Full support for Intel VT-x, and experimental support for Intel VT-d