Getting a
good start in any new technology or programming language often depends on
finding the best available information. The TechRepublic QuickStart Tools
give you the information you need to quickly grasp the fundamentals of
developing in a new IDE, using a new programming language, or working with a
new development tool.

Besides
explaining the basics, TechRepublic QuickStart Tools
show common tasks, expose strengths and weaknesses, demonstrate some of the
best uses of the technology, and list a variety of other online and offline
resources that can help you build a solid foundation of practical knowledge.

Fundamentals

VMware Workstation 5 is the latest released version of VMware’s virtual machine software. VMware
Workstation allows you to run multiple operating systems on one physical PC
that creates a virtualization layer between the host operating system and the
guest operating system.

With VMware, you can test and develop applications and/or
operating systems fixes. The options are limitless as to what you can do within
a virtual machine. You can download
an evaluation copy to begin working with this product. You will not be sorry;
it’s addictive.

Common Tasks

With VMware Workstation 5, you perform the following tasks:

  • Install experimental operating
    systems such as Windows Vista Beta 1 in a virtual machine.
  • Install many Linux
    distributions such as Red Hat, SuSe, and
    Mandrake.
  • Take multiple point-in-time
    snapshots of a virtual machine for testing purposes and revert back to a any snapshot at will.
  • Suspend and Resume virtual
    machines on the fly.
  • Move virtual machines from one
    computer to the next seamlessly.
  • Create complex virtual networks
    to mimic any network configuration that you desire.
  • Take screen shots of virtual
    machines for documentation or other knowledgebase needs.
  • Create Teams of virtual
    machines to simulate client/server technology or any type of development
    environment.
  • Clone virtual machines to make
    sharing them with your coworkers simple.
  • Record any actions within a
    virtual machine.

Strengths

Strength

Description

Easy
Installation

VMware Workstation is very simple to install. A wizard walks you
through the installation in a few steps.

Popular

VMware is becoming very popular for testing and developing
applications among developers and system administrators.

Virtual
Networking

There is
no other virtualization software that allows you to take advantage of
networking in such a manner.

Support
for Linux

VMware Workstation has great support for Linux. If you want to
test Linux distributions, VMware Workstation is the
way to go.

Certification

In the
past, you had to have multiple computers to study for certifications. Now,
all it takes is one powerful computer with plenty of disk space and memory and
you can meet all of your certification needs by running a virtual network of
computers.

Cost

You can
own a downloaded copy for as little as $189.00

Weaknesses

Weakness

Description

Memory

In order
to run multiple virtual machines, you need to have plenty of memory. A
Windows XP with VMware Workstation running should
have at least 1GB Mb or more to run virtual machines concurrently.

CPU

A
powerful CPU is necessary when running virtual machines concurrently.

Price

VMware Workstation’s rival Virtual PC is free with a MSDN
subscription.

Best Uses

Software Development and Quality Assurance Testing

VMware
Workstation 5 gives testers and developers the ability to create and archive
test environments and scenarios quickly and easily. It also allows them to
create legacy environments without the use of physical equipment.

Application Compatibility

Instead of
loading software directly on a computer, load it in a virtual machine to avoid
downtime of PC’s.

Operating System and Upgrades

With VMware Workstation 5, you can test and configure service
packs and upgrades on all operating systems. You can rest easy testing in a
virtual machine rather than testing on the actual physical PC or Server.

IT Deployments

Are you
getting ready to deploy new software or new operating systems? Before
deploying, test in a complete virtual environment from the domain level all the
way down to the workstation.

Online resources

The VMware Workstation 5 Handbook

Newly released book on VMware Workstation 5.

VMware Workstation
Documentation

VMware’s portal of documentation.

VMware
Discussion Forums

The online discussion forum for VMware
Workstation 5.

VMware
Knowledge base

The knowledge base of information on VMware
Workstation 5.

VMware Newsgroups

The nntp
news server information to post questions to VMware’s
specific newsgroups.

Other resources

Virtual Strategy Magazine

An online magazine that is your source for virtualization technology
news.