VMware Workstation allows administrators to run multiple operating systems from a single physical machine.
With VMware Workstation, users can create Windows and Linux virtual machines (VMs) and run them directly on their desktops. It also facilitates desktop virtualization and is a popular tool for testing and development labs.
In 2009, VMware released
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Workstation
7 and, in 2010, followed it up with the Workstation 7.1 upgrade. These versions support Windows
7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 as guest OSes, and they even allow admins to pause live VMs. But
if your virtualization environment doesn’t require the advanced features in VMware Workstation 7,
there’s always VMware
Player: the free, stripped-down alternative.
So how can a VMware Workstation upgrade improve your infrastructure? And how does VMware Workstation compare with similar products from other vendors? The answers to these frequently asked questions can help you learn more about VMware Workstation and its potential role in your IT infrastructure.
Why should I upgrade to VMware Workstation 7?
The two main reasons to upgrade to VMware Workstation 7 are its support for Windows 7 and improved performance. Workstation 7 supports Windows 7 in either 32-bit or 64-bit modes, and it also added support for new host and guest OSes. VMware Workstation 7 also offers streamlined software development and testing, the ability to run applications with 3-D graphics and automatic snapshots. Plus, you can pause a VM (instead of suspending it) to quickly free up resources for other VMs or host applications.
What are some lesser-known features in Workstation 7.1?
You might not have noticed Unity and Capture Movie in previous versions, so if you’ve recently scored a VMware Workstation upgrade, it’s time to explore these VMware Workstation 7.1 features. Unity integrates the applications running in guest VMs with a host so that they behave as native applications. It also provides greater management flexibility on a desktop. Capture Movie is useful for training purposes. Capture Movie records what's happening on a guest VM's screen and saves it as a AVI file. It’s also easy to edit the video once you’re done.
Can I use VMware Workstation to learn new software?
These days, many administrators find themselves taking on additional responsibilities that require learning new software quickly. VMware Workstation can be an important tool for experimenting with software, particularly because it’s so easy to create and test VMs. Along with VMware virtual appliances, Workstation allows you to focus on the application you need to study rather than bogging you down with installation details.
Which is better: VMware Workstation or Oracle VirtualBox?
A common face-off for host-based virtualization is VMware Workstation vs. Oracle VirtualBox. VMware administrators favor VMware Workstation, but other users gravitate to VirtualBox because it’s open source. VirtualBox includes most of the features included in VMware Workstation, but Workstation offers linked-clones capability. Oracle’s offering also features greater command-line functionality than does VMware Workstation. For some users, the VMware Workstation 7 release makes Workstation more appealing than VirtualBox. Workstation 7 includes the Rewind and Replay feature to diagnose nondeterministic bugs, plus video and VM teaming capabilities.
How can I connect a VM to the Internet with VMware Workstation?
The flexibility of VMware Workstation’s virtual networks is a benefit, but it can also present challenges. It’s especially tricky to connect VMware Workstation guest VMs to the Internet. The Virtual Network Editor helps you configure VMware Workstation networking and connect VMs online. Using the Network Editor, you can bridge networks to a local area network, connect VMs using the Network Address Translation protocol or simply connect VMs to a host. You can also use VMware Workstation to test machines with IP address conflicts, malware or duplicate names.
How can VMware Workstation improve disaster recovery?
If VMware Site Recovery Manager doesn’t fit your IT budget, you can use VMware Workstation for disaster recovery. With just your laptop and VMware Workstation, you can whittle disaster recovery times down to less than an hour. Simply create VMs that include the OS and application functionality needed in a disaster recovery situation, then store them on the laptop's local storage or copy them to USB. Finally, restore failed servers by starting the VMs from the storage device, and assign IP addresses and names.
This was first published in March 2011
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