VMware’s top scientist quits

Mendel Rosenblum, the chief scientist at virtualisation leader VMware, has quit his post this week, just ahead of the firm's annual conference, VMworld.

The well-regarded Rosenblum is the latest exec to leave after the firing of his wife and fellow co-founder, former chief executive Diane Greene. According to a report in the New York Times, Rosenblum was offered her spot on the board, but declined it.

Last week, research and development head Richard Sarwal quit to return to Oracle, while vice president of product development Paul Chan said last month he will leave in October.

VMware was spun off from EMC in a massive IPO last year, but that firm still owns the majority of shares. Discontent between EMC's chief exec Joe Tucci and Greene is generally considered to be the reason for her dismissal. She was replaced by Paul Maritz, who was previously at EMC.

Despite being the clear leader in the strong virtualisation market, VMware cut its revenue forecasts in the face of competition from Microsoft, which recently launched its own virtualisation technology.

Rosenblum is set to return to Stanford University to teach. VMware has not announced a replacement.

IT PRO is set to attend VMworld in Las Vegas, so check back for more VMware news next week.

With files from Reuters.