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VMware Announces Availability of New Feature-Packed Release of Its Powerful Desktop Virtualization Software

VMware Workstation 5.5 Includes Industry-first Commercial Support for 64-bit Guest Operating Systems, Hardware Virtualization Assists and Virtual SMP Support to Accelerate Development of Next-generation Applications

PALO ALTO, Calif., November 29, 2005 – VMware, Inc., the global leader in virtual infrastructure software for industry-standard systems, today announced the general availability of VMware Workstation 5.5, the newest release of its award-winning desktop virtualization software. VMware Workstation 5.5 has numerous new features and significant platform enhancements that provide unmatched flexibility for developers and testers.

Millions today use VMware Workstation, first introduced more than six years ago, to accelerate software development, testing and deployment and increase product quality. With VMware Workstation, enterprises are able to create a library of virtual machines for 32-bit and 64-bit x86 operating systems, including Linux, NetWare, Solaris x86 and Windows, that replicate production environments. These virtual machines can then be rapidly provisioned and used, making it possible for developers and testers to spend more time developing and testing software and less time configuring and managing their required environments.

"VMware Workstation 5.5 reaffirms VMware's commitment to providing our customers with the industry's broadest virtualization platform," said Brian Byun, vice president of products and alliances at VMware. "Our customers have indicated that features like support for 64-bit guest operating systems and multi-CPU virtual machines are very important to them as they plan their infrastructure for the future. VMware Workstation 5.5 gives developers a powerful platform to accelerate the development, testing and support of their next-generation applications."

"Virtualization will drive increased operational efficiency, flexibility, mobility and integrity for customers across the enterprise," said Chad Taggard, director of Advanced Technologies Marketing for Intel's Digital Enterprise Group. "We are pleased to see this first product from VMware supporting the market's first shipping hardware-enabled virtualization technology from Intel. Coupling VMware's robust solutions with Intel Virtualization Technology will expand the adoption of the virtualized enterprise client, mobile and server platforms."

"VMware Workstation 5.5 is the market's first commercially available virtualization software solution to provide 64-bit virtualized Operating Systems on AMD Athlon 64 processor-based systems," said Joe Menard, corporate vice president of Software Strategy at AMD. "AMD helped pioneer the market for x86-64 bit operating environments, and we are pleased to extend our collaboration with VMware to help deliver optimized performance and robustness for today's existing AMD Athlon 64 processor-based systems."

Among the major new and enhanced features in VMware Workstation 5.5 are:

• 64-bit Guest Support for AMD Athlon 64 Processor-based Systems; and 64-bit Guest Support for Systems using Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T) with Intel Virtualization Technology (experimental): Building on the 64-bit host operating system support introduced in previous releases, VMware Workstation 5.5 delivers support for 64-bit Linux and Windows guest operating systems and experimental support for 64-bit Solaris x86 and FreeBSD. This gives developers and testers the flexibility to run 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems simultaneously on the same hardware.
• Support for Two-way Virtual SMP (experimental): VMware brings its server-class Virtual SMP to the desktop. Virtual SMP makes it possible for a single virtual machine to span two processors, enabling developers and testers to configure real-world production environments on developer-class desktops.
• Enhanced VMware Virtual Machine Importer: VMware Workstation 5.5 provides developers and testers with the additional flexibility to convert Symantec Live State Recovery images into virtual machines or to open those images in their native format without any modification. Developers and testers can reuse their libraries of physical machine images when deploying or building a virtual infrastructure.
• Enhanced Command Line Interface: VMware Workstation 5.5 offers an enhanced vmrun interface to allow organizations to automate repetitive manual tasks. New vmrun features include the ability to take snapshots, list all snapshots for a virtual machine and revert to a selected snapshot.

"We were very interested in VMware Workstation 5.5 because of its new support for 64-bit operating systems," says Ed Vanderpool, lead network engineer for Gap. "We've been wanting to use 64-bit Ubuntu Linux, so we tried it on Workstation 5.5. It worked flawlessly. The speed was incredible. We have been doing a lot of migrations and testing in Linux. With Workstation 5.5, we get speed, performance and memory management, which is exactly what we're after."

Vanderpool continued: "Workstation 5.5's enhanced VMImporter utility also enabled me to easily convert Symantec LiveState Recovery to VMware virtual machines for migrations. I did the migration on one of the backups previously and was able to move it over with Workstation 5.5 with no problem. Before, you'd have to do extractions; it was a longer, more complicated process. Also, we've noticed that being able to connect virtual machines to simulate tests in multi-tiered configurations is seamless and stable - even more so than in Workstation 5. We also like the flexible network settings in Workstation 5.5; the setup is straightforward, and it gives us greater flexibility in testing."

"For us, performance and responsiveness is important because we want to emulate production environments for our testing," said David Kiser, IT site services USA support for Business Objects. "To evaluate VMware Workstation 5.5, I put server images in virtual machines on a dual Xeon host with hyper threading. The Virtual SMP worked great as performance increased over using a single processor for the same image. SMP teaming also works well; I tested with MS SQL Server, and it picked up the dual processor image right after a reboot. The Windows 2000 and 2003 Server images recognized the SMP setup with no problems. I was impressed with the responsiveness of the new images when installing the operating systems and running Windows updates. This new version works well with SATA raid controllers. I also found that teaming worked well on server and desktop platforms."

Virtual machines created with VMware Workstation can be deployed to VMware Player, enterprise-class VMware GSX Server and data center-class VMware ESX Server platforms. Once deployed on GSX Server or ESX Server, VMware VirtualCenter can manage these virtual machines. This lets development teams more easily manage the software lifecycle process and seamlessly move computing environments from development to testing, and from staging to production.

Pricing and Availability VMware Workstation 5.5 for both Linux and Windows host operating systems is available today. The electronic download for Workstation 5.5 is $189 via the VMware Store at www.vmware.com/vmwarestore/; the boxed version available for $199. The product is also available from the VMware VIP Reseller Network and distribution partners at www.vmware.com/partners/resellers/. A full-featured 30-day trial version of VMware Workstation 5.5 can be downloaded directly from the VMware Web site at www.vmware.com/download/ws/.

VMware Workstation is also available with VMTN Subscription, which provides developers with the range of VMware products, support and upgrades for an annual subscription of $299 per user. VMTN Subscription provides a consistent virtualization platform for development and test to increase the productivity and efficiency across the software development lifecycle, reduce cost and complexity and improve software quality. VMTN Subscription includes VMware Workstation for individual developer productivity, VMware GSX Server and a developer version of VMware ESX Server with Virtual SMP for team collaboration and VMware Physical to Virtual (P2V) Assistant for migrating physical systems to virtual machines.

Registered customers who purchased VMware Workstation 5 are eligible for a free electronic download distribution update license to VMware Workstation 5.5 via the VMware Store at www.vmware.com/vmwarestore/.

About VMware, Inc.

VMware, an EMC company (NYSE: EMC), is the global leader in virtual infrastructure software for industry-standard systems. The world's largest companies use VMware solutions to simplify their IT, fully leverage their existing computing investments and respond faster to changing business demands. VMware is based in Palo Alto, California. For more information, visit www.vmware.com or call 650-475-5000.

# # #

VMware is a registered trademark of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or various jurisdictions. All other trademarks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Source: VMware, Inc.

Here's a great, very inclusive and complete look at the basics of virtualization technology. This guy has done a great job of explaining it in a way that a lot of people will understand.

http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/48662/

Enjoy

Open source virtualization technology sees commercial use


Looks like they're going to be using this stuff in embedded devices. This is quite the other end of the size spectrum from what HP is doing. How long before companies like Arcom start selling develpoment kits for this kind of stuff?

You can download this stuff here: http://ertos.nicta.com.au/software/

http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2005/050912xa.html

"HP also announced that HP Integrity Virtual Machines, which allows multiple operating system instances to share a single CPU as well as I/O resources, is expected to be available later this year for HP-UX 11i. Support for Microsoft Windows® Server 2003 as well as Linux is planned for 2006. "

Looks like some interesting stuff.

Here's the info on their virtualization stuff to-date (be sure to watch their movies):

http://www.hp.com/go/vse

They've been doing it for a while with their own stuff, but the multi-os looks like they're going to put a (small) dent in the vmware esx market. I'm sure it will not be something that small companies can afford... which is what is very nice about ESX (runs on inexpsensive x86 servers)... I wonder what an entry level start on HP's solution would run. The two server setup I'm using at my day-job ran about $80k... that was for 3 dell servers (one of them is a cold spare) a 2tb san, a HP Gig-E switch and the vmware licensing... Anyone know what it might cost to get started w/ HP Virtualization?

Looks like the version of vmware player that comes w/ workstation 5.5 is not a beta version. Here's a few screen captures:

This one works with files created with workstation. I remember seeing this before, but I don't think that it worked with workstation, only ESX or GSX... correct me if I'm wrong.

Here's a screen capture of the help info:


Basically, you just type this in:

vmware-mount x: "c:\virtual machines\vm1\virtualdisk.vmdk" /v:1

to mount the first volum of that vmdk file as your x: drive.

To list all the volumes in a vmdk file, you would do this:

vmware-mount "c:\virtual machines\vm1\virtualdisk.vmdk" /p

To unmount your x: drive you would type this:

vmware-mount x: /d

It works like a champ... here's my explorer window of a windows xp pro disk:

Here's a screen capture of the results of this little tool as seen on my Dell Inspiron 9300:

Looks like I'll have to wait a while to play with the new 64-Bit OS's.

Supported processors include:

• AMD Athlon 64 rev d or later
• AMD Opteron rev e or later
• AMD Turion 64 rev e or later
• AMD Sempron 64-bit-capable rev d or later*
• Intel EM64T vt-capable processors*

* experimental support only

More info can be found here:

http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/ws_pubs.html

I just logged onto the vmware.com website and found that workstation 5.5 has been released. They don't seem to be making any announcements yet... probably waiting till Monday. Anyway, I downloaded it and am about to install it and see how it is.

This is my first attempt at a proper blog. With the help of other interested parties, I would like to see this become a place where people can come to learn about all-things-vm... be they vmware, microsoft virtual server/pc, pearpc, qemu, etc. There will be some useful files posted as time permits... from barebones virtual machines to preconfigured distributions of stuff that it is ok to distribute :) to tools that make our jobs easier to funny stuff that makes our job easier to put up with.

Just to get this up and in front, I'd like to clarify that the name of this site has nothing to do with piracy nor is it related to the company called vmware. This is a place to come to get info and tools that relate to the growing phenomenon of virtualization. Watch out, world... here it comes!

Have You Seen My Stapler?

People sometimes form very strong bonds to inanimate objects. This is especially the case when you come into daily contact with, say, a red Swingline stapler. The ultimate utilitarian desktop accessory. Its vibrant red color stands out amongst the grays and beiges that consume office space. The sleek, smooth retro lines. The sheer weight. The precise, solid movement. The mechanics. The thick, dense sound as paper is conjoined...

One thing is certain - you will never covet an office supply as much you will your red Swingline stapler.

Oh, and by the way, if you've got a smug bastard in your office named Lumberg, don't ever let him take away your red Swingline. It could be bad for the business...

Durable metal construction with a retro style. 20 Sheet capacity. Jam resistant. Uses S.F. 4 Premium Staples (not included). 7 inches x 2.5 inches. TPS Reports not included.




Click the picture for more info.

This is a very neat little device... easy to use and can help with planning capacity in your data center, or at home so that you know just exactly how much it really costs you to run those 3 servers, 2 hubs and 3 routers in your basement... like the true geeks that you are! (myself not excluded)

Click the Picture for more info or to buy it!

It's pretty well known that electrical power is at the core of a geek's existence. It breathes life into our entertainment, hobbies, our work and probably a lot of other stuff too. But getting a good grasp on how much power various devices consume can be somewhat difficult to reckon.

The Kill-A-Watt allows you to connect your appliances and assess how efficient they are. A large LCD display counts consumption by the Kilowatt-hour, just like utility companies. You can figure out your electrical expenses by the hour, day, week, month, even an entire year. Monitor the quality of your power by displaying Voltage, Line Frequency, and Power Factor.

Also has these great features.

• Enables cost forecasting


• Accurate to within 0.2%


• Cumulative killowatt-hour monitor


• Displays Volts, Amps, Watts, Hz, VA, KWH, Power Factor


• Operating voltage: 115 VAC


• Max current: 15 A


• Max power: 1875 VA


• Dimensions: 5 1/8" X 1 5/8" X 2 3/8"

Do you sometimes feel like Les Nessman? Pleae knock before enterin my office!

Click the picture for more info or to buy it!

According to all the James Bond, Pink Panther, and other spy or “heist” movies, valuables are always guarded by glistening red beams. Cross a beam and a loud alarm sounds, which normally summons scores of security guards, ninjas, or robot henchmen. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an inexpensive way to get this sort of security for your cubicle?

Luckily, we found the Lazer Trip Wire – a wonderful addition to low-cost personal property protection. It doesn’t use lasers (hence, Lazer), but rather infrared light beams. You get three Lazer units, one primary and two secondary (each with a sensitivity switch to compensate for different light conditions). Clamp the Lazer units anywhere, and just align each Sender (IR light) to each Receptor (light sensor). Use only two Lazer units, or set up a perimeter with three or more units (multiple sets can be combined for one major invisible protection system). When all the units are connected, a nice voice will announce “System Armed.” Break one beam, though, and an alarm will sound, alerting everyone to the security breach. Ninjas and robot henchman, sold separately.

Please keep in mind, this is a toy. It works really well, but you shouldn't rely on it to protect your gold bars or top secret documents. Get a Ninja or a Wizard for that (also, sold separately).

Laser Tripwire

Includes:

• 1 Master Unit


• 2 Secondary Units


• Mist Bottle (so you can “see” the “lazer beams”)


• Requires: 6 AAA batteries (not included)


• Approx Dimensions of Lazer Unit: 5.5” x 3.5” x 2”