Network and systems management tools typically come as software applications or hardware devices. But a new trend toward virtual appliances combines the ease of hardware installation with the capabilities in many software applications.

For that reason, virtual appliances could be an answer to the software vs. hardware debate. For many IT managers, hardware devices replace the lengthy install and configuration time required of complex network and systems management products. Vendors packaged software on appliances to help small to midsize companies get the management features of large software deployments without deploying the software. For large enterprise companies, software is the only answer to managing complex, sophisticated environments. Most management software products also require agents be installed on every managed device, which adds to the implementation complexity but also enables actions to be taken on endpoints.

But now with virtual appliances, vendors are coupling the simplicity of a hardware device with the breadth of features offered in management software suites. For instance, Kace this week announced it had packaged its systems management software on a virtual appliance. Kace typically packages its software on a KBOX device and the company last year enabled the appliances to also manage and provision virtual servers. 

"We developed a purpose-built box to manage networks," says Rob Meinhardt, co-founder and CEO of Kace. "Now we also offer KBOX in the format that can run inside customers' VMware virtual environments as part of their overall virtual environment."

The Virtual KBOX appliances install on top of customers' VMware ESX Server and VMware Player. Kace says it will include support for other virtual platforms in the future as customer demand arises. The virtual appliances include all the capabilities of the physical appliances. Available now, the V-KBOX 1100 for systems management is priced at $8,900 for 100 nodes, and the V-KBOX 2200 for systems provisioning costs about $4,400 for 100 nodes.

Denise Dubie is senior editor with Network World.