Download of the day: Vmware 2.0 Virtualization Solutions Beta Software

VMware Server (formerly GSX Server) is an entry-level server virtualization solution which is proprietary, freeware software. VMware released version 2.0 beta of Server on July 1, 2008. VMware Server offers virtualization benefits such as:

+ You can create, edit, and play virtual machines.
+ Install any guest operating system for testing purpose.
+ Improve security.
+ Reduce downtime.
+ Control guest oses and VMware server from browser itself.
+ Improve resource utilization i.e. resource virtualization etc.

It uses a client-server model, allowing remote access to virtual machines.

Download VMware Server 2.0 Release Candidate 1

• You can download latest version 2.0 RC1 here [32 bit RPM 496M and 64 bit RPM 465M)

Please note that to use this version, you will need to register for your free serial number(s).

How do I install vmware?

Once downloaded simply use rpm command to install VMware software under CentOS / RHEL 5.x:
# rpm -ivh VMware-server-2.0.0-101586.x86_64.rpm
Before running VMware Server for the first time, you need to configure it for your running kernel by invoking the following command:
# /usr/bin/vmware-config.pl

How do I access and control my guest operating systems?

Fire a webbrowser and type the following url:
https://your.server.com:8333/
OR
https://your.server.ip.address:8333/

(Fig.01: Vmware server web login)
Once logged in you can see all your virtual machines and you can start / stop VPS oses:

(Fig.02: “VMWare Infrastructure Web Access” provides appliance like control [click to enlarge])
You need to install Firefox add-on called “VMware Remote Console Plugin”, once installed you can install any os or view guest / vps oses console:

(Fig.03: FreeBSD remote console within my Firefox [click to enlarge])