XenSource, the server virtualization company, has added a second former Microsoft staffer to its management ranks, recruiting the exec responsible for leading a number of big Windows products.

Gordon Mangione has been named vice president of product operations for XenSource. He joins XenSource directly from Washington-State-based venture capitalist Ignition Partners. However, XenSource will be more interested in tapping into his experience in leading key Microsoft products to market, and mining his relationships with the software firm.

According to XenSource chief executive Peter Levine, Mangione's experience in leading product teams at Microsoft will help his company to deliver "great" virtualization products for its customers.

In July XenSource announced a technology and support partnership with Microsoft to run Xen-enabled Linux on Windows Longhorn Server, due at the end of 2007.

Before the Microsoft deal, XenSource appointed Frank Artale as its vice president of business development. Artale is also a Microsoft alumnus, ending up as a vice president of the Windows business unit. He is pursuing relationships with platform providers such as Microsoft to ensure that the Xen hypervisor is fully tested throughout the entire stack. ®

Related stories

• NEC follows the path of XenSource (26 June 2007)
• Microsoft supports rival SWsoft by answering the phone (22 February 2007)
• Virtual Iron offers Windows by the slice (17 December 2006)
• LinuxWorld XenSource CEO had to drink to face first Xen install (17 August 2006)
• Red Hat's affair with XenSource is back on (1 August 2006)
• Red Hat bids XenSource adieu (1 August 2006)
• Analysis Microsoft so very, very proud of its ties to open source Xen (20 July 2006)
• Microsoft buddies up with open source rival - true (18 July 2006)
• XenSource looks to invade Windows base (3 April 2006)
• Red Hat enters state of Xen (14 March 2006)