VMware Workstation

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VMware Workstation

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Basic data

developer VMware, Inc.
Publishing year 1999
Current  version 15.5.2 Pro
( March 12, 2020 )
operating system Windows , Linux
programming language C , C ++
category Virtualization , emulation
License Proprietary
German speaking No
VMware Workstation

VMware Workstation Pro is software from the US company VMware for the virtualization of computers with x86 or x86-64 architecture . The aim of the product is to provide one or more full-fledged desktop environments with other operating systems (so-called guest systems) without having to restart the native system in order to change the operating system. The product is installed on the host system (the so-called host system) and requires a 64-bit processor since version 9 at the latest .

Details

With VMware Workstation, a complete x86 PC or x86-64 PC can be virtualized under the Linux and Windows operating systems as well as compatible systems. Different operating systems such as Windows, Linux and others can be installed on these virtual systems. However, there are restrictions depending on the technical properties of the underlying operating system. So z. B. a virtual machine set up with Microsoft Windows 2000 , which runs on a computer with the older Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 , still cannot access USB devices, although VMware 5.5 partially allows USB access. In practice, the opposite is often found: users run older operating systems within a virtual machine on modern host systems.

The operating systems virtualized with VMware Workstation are inherently somewhat slower than comparable native installations on identical hardware .

When a new version is introduced, the manufacturer has always published an activation code for a test version. This code - up to version 6 four groups of any digits and letters, from version 7 five groups - changes daily so that the specific program that was activated with the code on the date of the download can be tried out for exactly 30 days.

Version 7 was published at the end of October 2009. This version offers u. a. Support for Windows 7 and improved 3D support for Windows in general. Furthermore, for example, four processors or cores can be assigned to the guests. Virtual hard disks can be encrypted using AES (256 bit).

Version 8 was released on September 14, 2011. The most important change, in addition to the first rudimentary support for Windows 8 , is that the VMware Workstation can share virtual machines so that they can be used remotely from other computers. A prerequisite for this is also a workstation in version 8 on the clients. With this feature, the workstation can take over tasks for which the free VMware server was previously often used. The role as client is not limited to VMs that are released by a workstation 8. Rather, you can also access VMs from the workstation that run on an ESX (i) host or under vSphere. It also supports various administration functions, such as creating, starting and shutting down VMs. Therefore, Workstation 8 can be used as an alternative to the vSphere Client for some tasks . Since VMware Workstation 8, only host computers with a 64-bit x86 processor are supported. Windows versions up to Windows 7 do not include any general USB 3.0 drivers. Workstation 8 supports USB 3.0 ports based on NEC xHCI chips and drivers. Workstation 8 can only use USB 3.0 in a Windows VM with NEC-based USB 3.0 ports.

Version 9 of the product was released on August 23, 2012. It differs in the basic support of Windows 8 and in the function of an encrypted virtual machine, whereby the entry of the password is required to change the settings. A modified web interface called WSX enables users to access their shared virtual machines via the browser of a tablet, smartphone or PC, for example. It is also possible to upload and download virtual machines provided by vSphere. In addition, all USB 3.0 ports of the host can be used with Windows 8 VMs. The support of Intel VT-x / EPT or AMD-V / RVI extensions has been improved compared to the previous version. Microsoft Hyper-V has been added to the list of guest systems. The user interface has been completely redesigned to comply with Windows standards.

A comparable product for macOS on Intel processors is VMware Fusion .

Network configuration

VMware Workstation offers three ways to use the host's network resources. Depending on your requirements, you will choose one of these options.

bridge
Here the guest uses the network connection of the host with its own IP in its local network. This is equivalent to installing a separate computer - also seen from the outside.
NAT
The guest receives an IP in a private network set up by VMware for this purpose, which differs from the physical network of the host computer. A virtual network adapter is used, which VMWare sets up in the host and configures with another IP of the private network; the host is entered as the default gateway on the client side. The guest can now reach the host network via address translation (NAT). Guest resources, e.g. B. Windows shares can only be reached from the host under the private IP of the guest. Only one IP is visible from the outside; That there are several systems behind it can only be recognized by analyzing the data traffic.
Host only
Here, too, VMware sets up a private network. However, no rules are defined that allow the guest's data packets to leave this private network. If additional connections are required, these must be explicitly established on the host through routing (forwarding) or implemented as a server service (e.g. proxy). This method is particularly suitable for operating a dedicated server in the local network. For example, you would only enable the port for RDP for a terminal server . This would make the machine accessible for its intended purpose in the network, while z. B. Viruses that spread through other ports would end up at the host. This method is also suitable for private purposes, as it can prevent the guest from establishing undesired IP connections (e.g. for sending spam).

Note: Several guest systems can use separate private networks that can only communicate with one another if it is explicitly configured in the host system.

Host systems support

Supported operating systems on host systems
operating system Supported by
VMware Workstation
version
Windows Server 2016 12.5 and higher
Windows Server 2012 R2 10.0 and higher
Windows Server 2012 9.0 and higher
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 8.0 and higher
Windows Server 2008 R2 7.0 and higher
Windows Server 2008 6.0-10.0
Windows Server 2003 R2 6.0-10.0
Windows Server 2003 4.0-10.0
Windows 10 1607 and higher 12.5 and higher
Windows 10 1507 and 1511 11.0 and higher
Windows 8.1 10.0 and higher
Windows 8 9.0 and higher
Windows 7 7.1 and higher
Windows Vista 6.0-10.0
Windows XP 3.0-10.0
Windows 2000 2.0-6.5
Windows NT 4.0 1.0-4.5
Linux Different depending on the kernel, distribution and hardware configuration

similar products

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Release Notes . March 12, 2020 (accessed March 15, 2020).
  2. ↑ VMware Workstation 9 Documentation Center. VMware, Inc., accessed August 23, 2018 .
  3. ↑ Announcement in VMware's own blog from October 2, 2009 (last accessed October 8, 2009)
  4. ↑ VMware Workstation 8.0 Release Notes / Installation_Requirements (English, last accessed October 24, 2011)
  5. ↑ WMware Knowledge base: USB 3.0 support before Windows 8 (English, last accessed October 22, 2012)
  6. ↑ WMware Release Notes: USB 3.0 support from Windows 8 (English, last accessed October 22, 2012)
  7. ↑ https://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/search.do?cmd=displayKC&externalId=2088579
  8. ↑ https://www.vmware.com/support/ws4/doc/intro_hostreq_ws.html
  9. ↑ https://www.vmware.com/support/ws3/doc/ws32_intro2.html
  10. ↑ https://www.vmware.com/support/ws5/doc/intro_hostreq_ws.html
  11. ↑ http://windowsitpro.com/systems-management/vmware-workstation-20
  12. ↑ https://www.vmware.com/support/ws65/doc/releasenotes_ws650.html
  13. ↑ KB2088579
  14. ↑ KB2129859