Sun Microsystems has announced details of the latest version of its free VirtualBox software. Version 2.2 introduces support for new formats, as well as a number of other updates.

The company said that the open-source software now includes support for the Open Virtualization Format designed to make virtual machines and appliances easy to import or export. This will help users to build virtual machines or appliances before 'exporting' them from the development stage into a production environment, according to Sun.

"We continue to see great momentum for VirtualBox through huge adoption numbers, as well as the speed and frequency of technology releases," said Jim McHugh, vice president of datacentre software marketing at Sun.

"VirtualBox has always been a fantastic tool for developers to create multiple virtual machines, network them together and deploy them using nearly any operating system.

"Now, with the new import and export features of the VirtualBox 2.2 release, users can quickly and easily put their development environments into production on the desktop, the server or even in the cloud."

New additions in the latest release include speed optimisation, better support for 3D graphics and Apple's Snow Leopard platform, and increased maximum memory size.

VirtualBox is free for personal use, and enterprise subscriptions start at $30 (£21) per user per year. Sun said that volume discounts are also available.

Also this week, Marc Tremblay, a veteran chip architect at Sun, has left the firm to join Microsoft as a "distinguished engineer".

"We thank Marc for his many contributions over the last 18 years and wish him all the best in his future endeavours," said Sun in a statement.

Tremblay will be replaced by Rick Hetherington, previously co-chief technology officer at Microelectronics.