Server virtualisation specialist VMware last week said it will upgrade its software to provide virtual machines (VMs) that can access four processors.

The current version of its top-end ESX Server runs on servers with up to 16 processors, but can allocate only two CPUs per VM. The increased capability is a response to next year's Intel and AMD dual-core launches, which put two processors on a single chip.

"Next year you'll have four cores in [the most popular dual-chip] servers and you'll want four-way SMP," said Michael Mullany of VMware at its first user conference in San Diego.

The upgrade will be delivered in the second half of 2005, when pricing will also be announced.

About five percent of new x86 server deployments are now done using VMs, said VMware chief Dianne Green. By 2005 this number could be as high as 25 percent, she added.