Interesting to see Attensa releasing its latest Feed Server as a virtual appliance. These are standalone self-contained system images with operating system and application pre-installed. The customer only needs to "run" the image (to boot the virtual appliance) and then configure the system via a web interface.

The press release doesn't give any hint as to what virtualization platform it supports. However, the fact that they are using rPath to develop the virtual appliance says it likely runs on any rPath-supported virtualization platforms such as VMware, Xen, Microsoft Virtual Server, Parallels, or Virtual Iron.

rPath is a fascinating technology. Their tools provide a development environment for appliances (total system images, actually) in addition to other services to help keep the appliances up-to-date and easy to configure. There are a dearth of tools on the market that provide these types of services. Without these developers are left to using homegrown tools which could lead to inconsistent system builds and lower quality solutions.

rPath also can produce ISO images that can be used to create hardware appliances or standard servers. So build it once and deploy as the customer wants it. Way cool.

IMHO, rPath represents a layer in the software stack that creates opportunities for a new type of developer. One who is capable of integrating existing software systems to derive a total solution tailored to specific use cases with no need for a customer to install software.

In addition, these solutions encapsulate the operating system (and, hence, diminish the role of operating system vendor) since the customer no longer has to deal with it. It's a match made in heaven for Open Source integrators.