VMware Fusion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| VMware Fusion | |
|---|---|
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 VMware Fusion running Windows Vista on Mac OS X |
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| Developed by | VMware, Inc. |
| Latest release | 1.1.3 (build 94249) / May 30, 2008 |
| Preview release | 2.0 beta 1 (build 89933) / May 6, 2008 |
| OS | Mac OS X |
| Platform | Apple-Intel architecture |
| Genre | Virtual machine |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | VMware Fusion |
VMware Fusion is a virtual machine software product by VMware, Inc. for Macintosh computers with Intel processors. Fusion allows Intel-based Macs to run x86 and x86-64 "guest" operating systems on Intel-based Macs, such as Windows, Linux, NetWare and Solaris as virtual machines simultaneously with Mac OS X as the "host" operating system using a combination of virtualization, emulation and dynamic recompilation.
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[edit] Overview
Fusion is VMware's first entry into the emerging Macintosh x86 virtualization market, which has been made possible by the Apple Intel transition. Fusion utilizes Intel virtualization technology present in the Intel Core microarchitecture platform. Much of the underlying technology in Fusion is borrowed from other VMware products, such as VMware Workstation, allowing Fusion to offer features such as 64-bit and SMP support from the first beta version onward. Built on VMware's history of enterprise virtualization technology, Fusion's strength lies in its high-performance rather than its features and OS X/Windows integration.[1]
Fusion 1.0 was released on August 6, 2007, exactly one year after being announced.[2]
[edit] System requirements
- An Intel-based Mac (64-bit guest operating systems require a EM64T-capable processor)
- 512 MB of RAM (1 GB or more recommended)
- 275 MB free disk space for VMware Fusion
- 1 GB free disk space for each virtual machine (10 GB or more recommended)
- Mac OS X version 10.4.9 or later
[edit] Key features
Unity view creates a seamless desktop environment between Windows XP and Mac OS X applications. It optionally hides Windows' start menu and taskbar and runs the Windows applications directly from the dock in OS X. Further, users can drag and drop files between Windows and the Mac, and use familiar Mac keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste between Windows and Mac applications. It is (almost) fully compatible with Exposé.[3] Fusion Windows that are covered by other Fusion Windows don't redraw when switching to Exposé causing visual anomalies.
In terms of hardware, there is support for wired and wireless networks, in NAT or bridged mode. Fusion allows hardware accelerated 3D graphics, supporting DirectX 8.1 through dynamic recompilation to OpenGL instructions in Windows XP Service Pack 2 virtual machines.[4] Thus users can play supported games through Fusion or run applications which require 3D graphics. Fusion allows the user to assign multiple CPUs to one virtual machine to gain additional performance for CPU-intensive workloads. There is access to physical devices from the virtual machine (i.e. read and write CDs and DVDs) as well as access to USB 2.0 devices such as video cameras, iPods, printers, and disks at full speed[citation needed]. VMware Fusion allows access to the full 16GB of RAM available on Mac Pros and Xserves.[3]
Software features of Fusion include its ability to run 32-bit and 64-bit x86 "guest" operating systems [5], including support for Apple's current operating system, Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" as a "host".[4] VMware claims that Fusion supports over 60 guest OSes.[3] Further, there is support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 Boot Camp partitions; thus a user can use his Windows Boot Camp partition, eliminating the need for two separate Windows installations.[6] Fusion includes a snapshot capability for saving and restoring a machine’s state. Virtual machines created with VMware Fusion can be used with other VMware products and vice-versa and are compatible with other VMware virtual appliances.[4]
[edit] Version history
| Version | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VMware Fusion 1.0 | August 6, 2007 | First release, following 4 betas |
| VMware Fusion 1.1 | November 12, 2007 | Support for Leopard, Boot Camp, and improvements to DirectX support and Unity |
| VMware Fusion 1.1.1 | January 24, 2008 | Various bug fixes |
| VMware Fusion 1.1.2 | April 23, 2008 | Support for Time Machine and various bug fixes |
| VMware Fusion 1.1.3 | May 30, 2008 |
[edit] See also
- Comparison of virtual machines
- Comparison of VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop
- List of VMware software
- Virtualization
[edit] External Links
[edit] References
- ^ VMware Fusion- MacLife
- ^ WWDC: VMware brings virtual machines to Mac OS X. Macworld (2006-08-06).
- ^ a b c VMware Fusion Features. VMware (2007-08-06).
- ^ a b c VMware Fusion FAQs. VMware (2007-08-06).
- ^ VMware Fusion System Requirements. VMware (2007-08-06).
- ^ VMware Fusion 1.0 Release Notes. VMware (2007-08-06).
