Sun has released the second version of its xVM VirtualBox open source desktop virtualization software and claims it is finding traction for its use among Apple Macintosh users.

VirtualBox enables a developer to develop code on a Mac, a Windows, Linux or Solaris machine and then run it in a virtual machine that mimics its target environment. Sun acquired VirtualBox as open source code when it bought Innotek GmbH, a German desktop virtualization firm, in February.

The code is available for download at www.virtualbox.org and is gaining ground as an alternative to commercial products, such as Parallels' Parallels Desktop for the Mac or VMware's Fusion, said Steve Wilson, VP of xVM in Sun's software group. "VirtualBox has deep integration with the Mac operating system's approach to networking," Wilson said. "We've seen increasing large traction among Mac users," he added.

The 2.0 version supports 64 bit Linux, Windows Vista and Sun's Solaris and OpenSolaris, as well as the Mac's OS X.

Sun is now offering around the clock support for VirtualBox in the enterprise, available at www.sun.com/software/products/virtualbox/get.jsp.

VirtualBox is an entry-level product to Sun's xVM Server virtualization product line. xVM Server is available at $500 per physical server per year.