The release of the new Cisco Borderless Network product Service Ready Engine Virtualization (SRE-V), provides the next generation of virtualization functionality for partners desiring to run server applications on the router. Utilizing VMware ESXi as its built-in engine, SRE-V features support of Windows 2003 and 2008 servers on which virtual machines can be created, monitored and maintained via VMware's vSphere client. With this new feature, packaging and porting applications as previously required by the Application Extension Platform (AXP) are no longer required.

SRE-V platform release 1.0.1 runs on the SM-SRE-700-K9 and SM-SRE-900-K9 service modules that plug into the Integrated Service Router Second Generation (ISR G2) routers. These routers are specificially the 29xx and 39xx routers excluding the 2901 model. The procedure for configuring and setting up applications on the service module is now relatively simple. After configuring the router and installing the SRE-V platform onto the service module, simply log into the built-in ESXi server via VMware's vSphere Client. Once logged in, create the virtual machines, install a supported operating system and finally install the application.

Installation and Configuration documentation is available in this Cisco Developer Network (CDN) technical center at the url http://developer.cisco.com/web/srev/docs . Support questions can be posted in the Technical Questions forum category: http://developer.cisco.com/web/srev/forums or by creating a Service Request via http://tools.cisco.com/ServiceRequestTool/create/launch.do and specifying the Technology as: Application Networking Services and Sub Technology: Computing System Express (UCS-Express) on ISR Service Module.