Virtual machine software from VMware, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (www.vmware.com) that allows multiple copies of the same operating system or several different operating systems to run in the same x86-based machine. For years, VMware has been the leader in virtualization software (see virtual machine).
Client Versions
VMware Workstation runs on Windows and Linux host machines and supports most versions of Windows, Linux, Solaris x86, Netware and FreeBSD guest operating systems. VMware ACE is a deployment tool for propagating virtual machines created in VMware Workstation to other PCs. A user's desktop (OS and applications) can be stored on a USB drive for transport.
Vmware Fusion can run Windows, Linux and other guest operating systems on the Mac (see VMware Fusion).
VMware Player is a free runtime engine that can execute applications packaged as a virtual appliance without requiring full VMware in the computer (see VMware Player).
Server Versions
VMware ESX Server is VMware's flagship server virtualization product, and ESX Server 3i is a compact version for embedding into firmware. ESX Server is the highest performance product in the VMware family and includes tools for datacenter management. For example, VMware's Vmotion enables virtual machines to be migrated live from one server to another.
VMware Server (formerly GSX Server) is a free product used as a starting point for server virtualization in an organization. However, VMware Server requires an underlying operating system to work, whereas VMware ESX is a "hypervisor," a stand-alone virtual machine monitor that directly controls the hardware.
Thin Clients - Virtual Desktop Manager
Under the umbrella of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) VMware's Virtual Desktop Manager (VDM) provides a desktop virtualization environment for thin clients. Each user's desktop resides as a VMware virtual machine in the server. See thin client and virtual machine.
Client Versions
VMware Workstation runs on Windows and Linux host machines and supports most versions of Windows, Linux, Solaris x86, Netware and FreeBSD guest operating systems. VMware ACE is a deployment tool for propagating virtual machines created in VMware Workstation to other PCs. A user's desktop (OS and applications) can be stored on a USB drive for transport.
Vmware Fusion can run Windows, Linux and other guest operating systems on the Mac (see VMware Fusion).
VMware Player is a free runtime engine that can execute applications packaged as a virtual appliance without requiring full VMware in the computer (see VMware Player).
Server Versions
VMware ESX Server is VMware's flagship server virtualization product, and ESX Server 3i is a compact version for embedding into firmware. ESX Server is the highest performance product in the VMware family and includes tools for datacenter management. For example, VMware's Vmotion enables virtual machines to be migrated live from one server to another.
VMware Server (formerly GSX Server) is a free product used as a starting point for server virtualization in an organization. However, VMware Server requires an underlying operating system to work, whereas VMware ESX is a "hypervisor," a stand-alone virtual machine monitor that directly controls the hardware.
Thin Clients - Virtual Desktop Manager
Under the umbrella of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) VMware's Virtual Desktop Manager (VDM) provides a desktop virtualization environment for thin clients. Each user's desktop resides as a VMware virtual machine in the server. See thin client and virtual machine.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Google Chrome OS has arrived as free VMWare download
- Just awhile ago, news reports were popping up with sneak peak videos and details about the much-awaited, upcoming Google Chrome OS release. But as of a few hours ago, it looks like we can sample it for ourselves. by Rachel King
- Blog posts 2009-11-20
- Disks: why size means performance
- OK, Smarty pants...How do I use only the outer-most sectors of my 500GB disk?Performance != reliabilitySeagate has progressively gotten worse with reliability - that's why they cut the 5-year warranty back down to 3 years. Western Digital has made great strides with reliability though. WD isn't focussing on...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-18
- Hornil StylePix 1.0.1.1121 (Windows)
- Hornil StylePix, or simply StylePix, is a free image editor with a number of advanced features. Stylepix is an acronym for "Style Pictures". This means your pictures with nice style. Hornil StylePix has intuitive user interface. It is designed to control the selected functions easy and conveniently. Even if you...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Next year is THE year for cloud computing
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- News items 2009-11-17
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- White papers 2009-11-17
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery with CA Recovery Management and VMware Infrastructure
- The expansion of IT systems to support the growth of mission-critical business processes and services is fueling two parallel trends. One is the increase in the deployment of new applications and the provision of access to them and their information in ways that are economical, flexible, fast and well managed....
- White papers 2009-11-17
- PRTG Network Monitor 7.2.2.4944 (Windows)
- An advanced, easy-to-use monitoring solution for your entire network. The software's features include: up/downtime monitoring, traffic and usage monitoring, packet sniffing, in-depth analysis and concise reporting. A user-friendly web-based interface allows users to quickly auto-discover and configure the network devices and sensors they wish to monitor. All common methods for...
- Software downloads 2009-11-16
- UK Santas getting gadget training before the holidays
- Shopping List for regular readersExcellent idea training: then you can select with confidence from ZDNET bloggers' recommended XMAS gifts:1. Ed Bott: Windows Secrets by Paul Thurrott. You might get a signature on that because Ed is on a world tour fixing Vista PC's one at a time. Oh, you wanted...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-11
- News to know: Logitech-LifeSize; Macworld; Droid sales; Tandberg; e-book readers
- Here are today's notable headlines. You can get News To Know via email alert and RSS daily. For continuous updates see BNET's around-the-Web tech coverage.: Larry Dignan: Logitech gobbles up LifeSize; Enters video conferencing Dave Greenfield: Logitech Buys LifeSize. Now what about Polycom?...
- Blog posts 2009-11-11
- Seven great (and free!) applications for Windows 7
- You added Windows 7 to the title for page hits...Any tech enthusiast worth their salt has long known about all these apps. Nah ... ... for page hits I'd have added XP ... bigger user base ... User base yes but Windows 7is what everyone is interested in reading...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-10
- VMware's desktop moves
- That's all well and good Dan, but...The bigger picture isn't about VMware, a proprietary product.What is revving up to be the King of Hypervisors is:KVMYep.Take note all you VM'ers.You only need to try this Type 1 Hypervisor just once with Red Hat's Virt-Manager GUI Console to calibrate an understanding.In twenty-five...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-10
- VMware's desktop moves
- VMware's cluster announcement of products, reference architectures and services is designed to both establish dominance in desktop virtualization and slow the growth of competitors. by Dan Kusnetzky
- Blog posts 2009-11-10
- The real pros and cons of server virtualization
- YepVMwear is starting to look like Windoze - adding unneeded functionality just because it can. Moving VMs around from server to server live - is COOL. But why do you need it? If you are on a consolidation binge and utilization is king, then there will be no "extra" capacity...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-07
- Open source needs successful champions
- Open Source powers the Internet period!Open_Source powers the ENTIRE Internet withrouters/switches/servers you name it like Microsoft sitting behind caching Linux distroname servers.Now you tell me what does it need now???It is the FUTURE of smart devices, appliancedriven infrastructure, just like VMware using a Linux derived kernel and it is #1...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-05
- HP: How about your own personal smart grid for your data center?
- No thanks HPI am ripping out all HP gear and implementingDell hardware and VMware.Sounds like more smoke and mirrors to sell more HP gearHP is not interested in you reducing your energy costs as much as they are in selling you more HP gear, which of course integrates more tightly...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-05
- Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization for Servers
- Red Hat is attempting to use KVM as a weapon to defeat VMware, Microsoft, Citrix, Oracle and the like. Organizations will need proof that it is better. by Dan Kusnetzky
- Blog posts 2009-11-05
- CrashPlan 11.05.2009 (Mac)
- CrashPlan is the ultimate backup solution for your home or business. Files are automatically compressed, encrypted, and transmitted to your designated backup destinations. Easily back up your laptop to a desktop, the office server off-site, or a remote employee's laptop to HQ. By using your own backup destinations you avoid...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- News to know: AT&T, Verizon; T-Mobile; Microsoft CRM; Win7; datacenters; Sony-Ericcson
- Here are today's notable headlines. You can get News To Know via email alert and RSS daily. For continuous updates see BNET's around-the-Web tech coverage.: Sam Diaz: AT&T sues Verizon Wireless, calls map ad "misleading" but doesn't dispute accuracy Matthew Miller: T-Mobile experiences...
- Blog posts 2009-11-04
- Cisco, EMC and VMware Announce Alliance
- Cisco, EMC and VMWare launch alliance/coalition/joint venture. by Dan Kusnetzky
- Blog posts 2009-11-04
- Cisco, EMC, VMware announce joint integrated datacenter venture
- Sounds great! NT.
- Discussion threads 2009-11-03
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