VMware Workstation 6.0 Product FAQs

What's new in VMware Workstation 6.0?
VMware Workstation continues to be the most advanced virtualization software for desktop and laptop computers. The 6.0 release further strengthens the product’s leadership in providing the broadest, deepest OS support (both host and guest); best-in-class virtual machine architecture; the richest desktop user experience; and an unmatched set of value-added features to enhance the productivity of technical professionals and the organizations they serve. The new features of VMware Workstation 6.0 include:

• Support for Windows Vista (both guest and host OS)
• Multiple monitor display – span the VM display across a second monitor
• Support for USB 2.0 devices – including high-speed storage and iPods
• VMware Converter for effortlessly creating a new virtual machine from a physical disk
• The ability to remotely access the console of a VM from a VNC client
• The ability to run virtual machines in the background without the Workstation UI
• Integration with leading IDEs, (Visual Studio and Eclipse)
• Continuous state record/replay capabilities
• Experimental support for paravirtualized guests

Who should buy VMware Workstation?
VMware Workstation is essential for anyone who does software development/testing or works with multiple operating systems or computing environments:

• IT engineers/system administrators
• Software developers and QA engineers
• Call center/help desk/tech support engineers
• Computer-based educators/trainers and their students
• Salespeople and sales engineers who run software demos
• Users who need to run Linux on Windows (or vice-versa)
• Those who need to rehost a legacy application on a modern operating system (i.e, rehost Windows XP as a virtual machine on a Windows Vista host machine)

How Does VMware Workstation Work?
VMware Workstation works by creating fully isolated, secure virtual machines that encapsulate an operating system and its applications. The VMware virtualization layer maps the physical hardware resources to the virtual machine's resources, so each virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, disks, and I/O devices, and is the full equivalent of a standard x86 machine. VMware Workstation installs onto the host operating system and provides broad hardware support by inheriting device support from the host.

What types of applications can I run in a virtual machine?
Any application that will run on a standard PC will run inside a virtual machine on VMware Workstation. VMware Workstation is the equivalent of a full PC, with full networking and devices — each virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, disks, I/O devices, etc. This allows you to run any application that runs on the supported guest operating systems, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Apache Web Server, Microsoft Visual Studio, Kernel debuggers, Firewalls and VPN software.

Do I need to dual boot or repartition the disk?
No. VMware Workstation uses your computer's file system and creates files that map to a virtual machine's disk drives, so there is no need to create a partition for each operating system. If you already have another operating system with dual boot installed on your computer, you can use VMware Workstation to run the other operating system in a virtual machine on your host operating system. Instead of dual booting, you can run both operating systems simultaneously and seamlessly switch from one operating system to another with a click of your mouse.

How is each operating system installed?
Once you have installed VMware Workstation, you "configure" a virtual machine by assigning it memory, disk, ports, and networking. You then power on that virtual machine with the operating system installation CD or ISO image. The virtual machine will boot, and the operating system will start its normal install procedure.

Does VMware Workstation modify the host or guest operating systems?
No. Your host operating system environment treats VMware Workstation like an application. No modifications need to be made to the guest operating system when it is installed on a virtual machine. Applications on the guest operating system run exactly as they do on your host machine.

What are virtual disks?
Virtual disks are the disk partitions of virtual machines. They are stored as files on the file system of your host operating system. One of the key features of VMware Workstation is encapsulation. This means that complete environments are contained in a set of files, which can be copied, moved, and accessed quickly and easily. Since an entire disk partition is saved as a file, virtual disks are easy to back up, move, and copy. You can create virtual SCSI and IDE disks as large as 950GB.

Does a VMware Workstation virtual machine share the IP address of the host (NAT), or does it have its own IP address?
The virtual machine can use bridged networking to receive its own IP address (when available from a DHCP server), or it can use NAT and share the host's IP address. Also, host-only networking can be set to create an isolated virtual network. Lastly, network connections can be entirely disabled for complete virtual machine isolation.

What kind of hardware do I need to run VMware Workstation 6.0?
VMware Workstation runs on standard x86-based hardware with Intel and AMD processors and most Windows or Linux host operating systems. We recommend that you have a 733MHz or faster processor, 512MB of RAM, and at least 1GB of free disk space, depending on the guest operating system you want to install. For more details on recommended hardware, see the host system requirements. If you plan to run 64-bit virtual machines with VMware Workstation 6, please refer to the Knowledge Base article on compatible 64-bit CPUs or download the 64-bit processor check utility. VMware Workstation does not run on RISC architectures, including SPARC or PowerPC. It cannot be installed on a UNIX-based or Apple machine.

Where can I get an evaluation copy of VMware Workstation?
You can evaluate the full working version of VMware Workstation for free, for up to 30 days.

Does VMware Workstation support virtual machines created with Virtual PC?
Yes. Simply point Workstation to the VMC file and open it.

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VMware Workstation 6.0 Pricing & Packaging FAQs

How much does VMware Workstation 6.0 cost?
A full license for VMware Workstation 6 is available for $189 USD (electronic download) and $209 USD (packaged retail version). The upgrade from VMware Workstation 5 to 6 is available for $99 USD (electronic download only).

What VMware Workstation packages are available?
VMware Workstation is currently available in the following configurations:

• Windows or Linux hosts
• Japanese or English language
• Electronic Software Download or Packaged Retail Version
• Electronic Software Download (ESD) distribution includes web-based support for the first 30 days after purchase. The packaged retail version includes VMware Workstation on CD, printed manual and web-based support for the first 30 days after shipment.

Do I get free updates (not upgrades) when I purchase VMware Workstation 6?
Yes. The price of VMware Workstation includes an update service that entitles you to product updates for a period of 18 months from the date of purchase. Product updates are new releases of Workstation within a given version (such as x.1, x.2, x.3, and so forth). The update service will be available in electronic format only. To download updates, visit the Download Center. For more information, please see our purchase options.

Note: The price of Workstation entitles a customer to free updates, but not free upgrades. Upgrade releases contain functional enhancements or significant extensions and are designated by changes in the digits to the left of the first decimal, for example, Workstation 5.0 to Workstation 6.0. View the Upgrade FAQs.

In what language can I obtain VMware Workstation or its documentation?
Workstation software is available in English or Japanese. To purchase a Japanese version, please visit the VMware Japanese web site. The user's manual is available in English, Japanese, German, and French. All four language versions are available for download in electronic format from the VMware Workstation documentation website.

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VMware Workstation 6.0 Upgrade FAQs

What are the upgrade pricing and policies for VMware Workstation 6?
Customers with an active support and subscription (SnS) contract may upgrade to Workstation 6 free of charge. Please log on to the self-fulfillment portal to upgrade your Workstation licenses.

VMware Workstation 5.x customers without active SnS contracts may purchase an upgrade to VMware Workstation 6 for $99 USD per license (electronic download only).

Customers on older Workstation releases (1.x, 2.x, 3.x and 4.x) will need to purchase a new license at regular price of $189 USD (electronic download) or $209 USD (packaged retail version).

I own Workstation 5.5. How do I get the Workstation 6.0 upgrade?
If you have a Workstation 6 serial number, simply download the new binaries and install Workstation. If you don’t have a Workstation 6 serial number, you must upgrade or purchase a new license before installing the new software. You can also download an evaluation copy of Workstation 6. Please note that when you install a new version of Workstation, the previous version will be uninstalled from your system. Therefore, we recommend that you proceed with the upgrade only if you have a new serial number. Your existing virtual machines will not be affected.

I own Workstation 5.x (for Windows systems) and I want to switch platforms and upgrade to Workstation 6 (for Linux systems), or vice versa. Can I do this at upgrade prices?
No. VMware does not currently offer an upgrade path from one host operating system version to another. If you own a license for the Windows systems version of Workstation 5.x, your upgrade offer applies only to Workstation 6 for Windows systems (and the same is true for Linux systems).

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VMware Workstation 6.0 Support FAQs

What are the support options for VMware Workstation 6.0?
Support for VMware Workstation 6.0 is available as “per-incident” support packs or as Site Support and Subscription. Per-incident packs are offered in 1-, 3-, and 5-incident increments and include telephone and email support during normal business hours. We will not debit your incident support balance if you report a defect that has been verified as a bug. Further, per-incident support packs are not tied to a particular Workstation license and can be shared with other Workstation users in your organization. This is a support-only offering and does not include software upgrades. Per-incident support can be purchased with your Workstation order, or at the time of a support request.

Site Support and Subscription (SnS) is a convenient option for organizations with a large number of Workstation licenses to purchase software and support services with a single bill on a single contract. Site SnS includes unlimited support calls and software upgrades for all Workstation users at a particular site. A “site” is considered all buildings at a single address. For discounts on volume purchases and multi-year contracts, please contact Sales or call one of our toll free support numbers, or contact a VMware reseller for more details. For more details on per-incident support and Site SnS, please read the support terms and conditions.

I have a VMware Workstation Silver/Gold/Platinum support contract. What are my options when my contract is up for renewal?
If you previously had a Silver, Gold or Platinum Workstation support and subscription contract, you will not be able to renew your contract under the previous terms. Going forward you can choose either per-incident support or Site Support and Subscription (SnS) when your contract is up for renewal.

Should I buy Per Incident Support or Site Support and Subscription?
Per-Incident support packs are recommended for individual purchases and customers with less than 50 Workstation licenses. Site Support and Subscription (SnS) is intended for customers with a large number of Workstation licenses. The minimum purchase requirement for Site SnS is 50 units.

Is Per Incident Support available only for Workstation 6.0 or also for Workstation 5.x?
Yes, you can purchase Per Incidents support packs and use it for VMware Workstation 5.x questions as long as the product is officially supported by VMware. See our General Support Lifecycle Policy for guidance on how long VMware will support older releases.

Are there any free support resources available from VMware?
VMware provides a number of self-help and community supported resources including:

• Workstation Documentation — product documentation and manuals
• Knowledge Base — troubleshooting information
• Discussion Forums — users can share their information and experiences with others (registration required)
• User Groups (VMUGs) — live, local gatherings of VMware users
  Also, customers are eligible for complimentary installation support for the first 30 days following purchase.

What is the support period and end of life for VMware Workstation products?
Please reference our end of support policy for detailed information.

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