Sun Microsystems has expanded its suite of virtualisation tools with a free server product and updated management console.

The new products add to its existing software for standalone virtual machines and virtual desktop infrastructure.

Available today are Sun's xVM Server software and xVM Ops Center 2.0, forming key components of its comprehensive virtualisation strategy, the firm said.

"In today's virtualisation market, consolidation is just the first step in moving toward a dynamic datacentre built on open, standards-based solutions," said Sun's executive vice president of software, Rich Green.

"The Sun xVM portfolio was built to manage internet-scale infrastructure and complexity with unmatched performance and ease of use."

The xVM Server is a bare-metal hypervisor for Intel and Sparc-based servers that can host Windows, Linux and Solaris guest machines.

The open source software includes an embedded web server that allows it to be managed remotely via a browser, and is compatible with the DTMF WS-Man standards.

The xVM Ops Center 2.0 provides integrated and simplified management of infrastructure, according to Sun.

The new version adds the ability to manage virtual guest machines as well as physical servers, and makes it easier for users to manage thousands of geographically distributed systems simultaneously, the company said.

Sun also announced services for xVM Server and Sun xVM Ops Center 2.0 to help customers build and support their virtual infrastructure.

The new tools complement Sun's Virtual Desktop Infrastructure 2.0 for desktop consolidation, and xVM VirtualBox 2.0 for operating standalone virtual machines on Windows Mac, Solaris or Linux workstations.