VMware Workstation – virtualization software

Last Updated on April 3, 2025

VMware Workstation lets you use your virtual machines to run Windows, Linux and a host of other operating systems side-by-side on the same computer.

VMware virtualization software maps physical hardware resources to the virtual machine’s resources so that each virtual machine is equipped with its own CPU, memory, disks and network interface cards. No rebooting or hard drive partitioning is required to switch between the virtual machines. Virtual machines are the full equivalent of a standard x86 machine and are able to run most Windows, Linux and Novell desktop and server operating systems.

There is also a freeware virtualization software product available called VMware Player. It can run guest virtual machines produced by VMware Workstation (and other products produced by VMware) but cannot itself create new virtual machines.

Features include:

• Runs on both Windows and Linux host operating systems and supports most desktop and server editions of Microsoft Windows, Linux, Solaris x86, Netware, and FreeBSD as guest operating systems.
• Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit host and guest operating systems.
• Supports two-way Virtual SMP – Assign one or two processors to virtual machines.
• Experimental support for VMI 3.0 enabled paravirtualized Linux kernels.

Virtual Machine Architecture

• Fully configurable – each virtual machine has configurable memory size, disks and I/O devices and support for CD, DVD, floppy and USB 2.0 devices.
• Specify up to 8GB of RAM per virtual machine.
• 64-bit sound driver for high-fidelity audio and video.
• Switch between virtual machines and suspend/resume them.
• Copy and share virtual machines by creating full and linked clones.
• Convert physical into virtual machines and import virtual machine formats from Microsoft, Symantec and Storage­Craft.
• Experimental support for record and replay of guest activity at the machine state and instruction level.

Advanced Network Support

• Powerful virtual networking options include Bridged, NAT, host-only and custom virtual network settings.
• Built-in DHCP server, and up to 10 virtual switches, enable connection of virtual machines to each other, to the host machine and to public networks.
• Specify network bandwidth and packet loss rate between virtual machines in a team.

Desktop Experience

• Configure a virtual machine to span multiple monitors, or multiple virtual machines to each display on separate monitors.
• Create shared folders and drag-and-drop, and copy-paste data between guest and host OSes.
• Connect high-speed USB 2.0 devices, including webcams and iPods.
• Resize the guest’s screen resolution automatically to fit the size of a window or full screen, or run virtual machines in the background without using the Workstation user interface.
• Map a virtual disk to a drive letter on Windows host.
• Capture all screen activity in a running virtual machine with movie record and playback feature.

Powerful Development and Test Features

• Debug applications in the guest OS, attach to a running process, and revert to a snapshot after the debug session has ended with Visual Studio and Eclipse integration.
• Capture and easily manage point-in-time copies of running virtual machines and “undo” changes with multiple snapshot feature.
• Manage connected virtual machines and simulate multi-tier configurations with teams feature.
• Enable remote users to connect to virtual machines from VNC clients with built-in VNC support.
•  Invoke any virtual machine command from scripts to automate repetitive tasks with VIX Automation API.

Security and Mobility

• Package and deploy virtual machines with optional VMware ACE authoring capability, enabling encryption, network access and password control on portable media devices.
• Includes VMware Player.

Website: www.vmware.com
Support: Documentation
Developer: VMware Inc
License: Proprietory License

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