How Does VMware Workstation Work?

VMware Workstation works by creating fully isolated, secure virtual machines that encapsulate an operating system and its applications. The VMware virtualisation layer maps the physical hardware resources to the virtual machine's resources, so each virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, disks, and I/O devices, and is the full equivalent of a standard x86 machine. VMware Workstation installs onto the host operating system and provides broad hardware support by inheriting device support from the host.

What's new in VMware Workstation 5.5?

VMware has added powerful new functionality and support to the latest release of our award-winning software:
VMware Workstation 5 has been significantly overhauled and enhanced from the inside out. Its fifth-generation architecture has been optimised for the power user with the most demanding functionality requirements. The powerful new features of VMware Workstation 5.5 enhance individual productivity and team collaboration and include:

• Support for 64-bit guest operating systems
• Experimental support for 2-way Virtual SMP
• Ability to open and convert Microsoft virtual machines and Symantec LiveState Recovery images
• VMware Player included
• New support for select 32- and 64-bit host & guest operating systems and hardware - 32- and 64-bit.
• Toolbar customisation capabilities
• New wireless networking capabilities for Linux hosts
• Enhanced autodetect to configure additional devices for virtual machines
• Enhancements to the command line interface

Who should buy VMware Workstation 5?

VMware Workstation 5 is essential for anyone who does software development/testing or works with multiple operating systems or computing environments:

• Software developers and testers
• Teams of software developers and testers
• IT engineers/system administrators/system integrators
• Call centre/help desk/tech support engineers
• Computer-based educators/trainers and their students
• Salespeople and sales engineers who run software demos
• Anyone who wants to run Linux on Windows (or vice-versa) or host a legacy application on a modern operating system

In summary, Workstation is essential for anyone who does software development/testing or works with multiple operating systems or computing environments.

What types of applications can I run with VMware Workstation?

Any application that will run on a standard PC will run inside a virtual machine on VMware Workstation. VMware Workstation is the equivalent of a full PC, with full networking and devices — each virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, disks, I/O devices, etc. This allows you to run any application that runs on the supported guest operating systems, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Apache Web Server, Microsoft Visual Studio, Kernel debuggers, Firewalls and VPN software.

Do I need to dual boot or repartition the disk?

No. VMware Workstation uses your computer's file system and creates files that map to a virtual machine's disk drives, so there is no need to create a partition for each operating system. Instead of dual booting, you can seamlessly switch from one operating system to another with a click of your mouse.

How is each operating system installed?

Once you have installed VMware Workstation, you "configure" a virtual machine by assigning it memory, disk, ports, and networking. You then power on that virtual machine with the operating system install disk in your CD-ROM or floppy drive. The virtual machine will boot, and the operating system will start its normal install procedure.

Does VMware Workstation modify the host or guest operating systems?

No. Your host operating system environment treats VMware Workstation like an application. No modifications need to be made to the guest operating system when it is installed on a virtual machine. Applications on the guest operating system run exactly as they do on your host machine.

What are virtual disks?

Virtual disks are the disk partitions of virtual machines. They are stored as files on the file system of your host operating system. One of the key features of VMware Workstation is encapsulation. This means that complete environments are contained in a set of files, which can be copied, moved, and accessed quickly and easily. Since an entire disk partition is saved as a file, virtual disks are easy to back up, move, and copy. You can create virtual SCSI and IDE disks as large as 950GB.

Does a VMware Workstation virtual machine share the IP address of the host (NAT), or does it have its own IP address?

The virtual machine can use bridged networking to receive its own IP address (when available from a DHCP server), or it can use NAT and share the host's IP address. Also, host-only networking can be set to create an isolated virtual network. Lastly, network connections can be entirely disabled for complete virtual machine isolation.

What kind of hardware do I need to run VMware Workstation 5?

Since VMware Workstation runs on x86-based hardware, most machines with Intel and AMD processors can run VMware Workstation 5. We recommend that you have a 500MHz or faster processor, 256MB of RAM, and at least 1GB of free disk space, depending on the operating system you want to install. VMware Workstation 5 does not run on RISC architectures, including SPARC or PowerPC. It cannot be installed on a UNIX-based or Apple machine.

Where can I get an evaluation copy of VMware Workstation?

You can evaluate the full working version of VMware Workstation 5 for free, for up to 30 days.

Should I buy the Linux version or the Windows version of VMware Workstation?

It depends on the operating system on your host machine (the physical machine that you will install Workstation on). If your host operating system is Windows, buy the Windows version of Workstation. If the host operating system is Linux, buy the Linux version. Both versions have the same functionality, capabilities, and guest operating system support. Also, VMware virtual machines are portable across both versions.

Do I get free updates (not upgrades) when I purchase VMware Workstation 5?

Yes. The price of VMware Workstation includes an update service that entitles you to product updates for a period of 18 months from the date of purchase. Product updates are new releases of Workstation within a given version (such as x.1, x.2, x.3, and so forth). The update service will be available in electronic format only.

What kind of paid technical support is available from thinstore?

Our support team is available to answer your questions and provide consulting services.

How does VMware Workstation compare to VMware ACE?

While both products are built on the same core Workstation virtualisation technology, are hosted products (install on top of a host operating system), and are installed on a single user's PC, they are sold to different audiences, used differently, and have different features and capabilities.

• Workstation is sold to and used by software developers and IT professionals for software testing and development, IT support, computer-based training, and software demos. Workstation users have essentially unlimited control on how they use Workstation and how they create and modify the virtual machines within it.
• VMware ACE is sold to desktop managers. Desktop managers use ACE Manager to create, package and provision VMware ACE onto end-user PCs — typically non-technical end users. VMware ACE is centrally configured and deployed, and the end-user has very limited control over the virtual machine. VMware ACE is used primarily to ensure more secure guest worker, partner, and remote PC access.

How does VMware Workstation compare to VMware GSX Server?

While both products are built on the same core Workstation virtualisation technology and are hosted products (install on top of a host operating system) they are used in different ways and have different capabilities.

• Workstation is installed on a PC and is used by an individual for testing and development. GSX Server is installed on a server, can be accessed remotely by multiple users, runs server-class applications in both production and test/dev environments to enable server consolidation, and offers server-class scalability. Often times software developers and IT professionals create, configure, and test server-class environments within a virtual machine using Workstation. These virtual machines are then often deployed on VMware GSX Server or ESX Server so others can access these virtual machines for both test/development and production uses.
• GSX Server differs from Workstation in that it can concurrently run more virtual machines (GSX Server supports servers with up to 32 processors and/or 64GB of memory), offers remote management functionality, supports advanced API and scripting functionality, and can run in headless mode. Accordingly, GSX Server has a higher price point than Workstation.

For more information call us on +44 (0)8707 520570 or email sales@thinstore.net