Software Update: VMware Workstation 4.0 RC2

We were informed about release candidate 2 of VMware Workstation 4.0 via the junk submit. With this software you are able to start a ‘virtual’ computer, so that you can easily run multiple operating systems on one computer at the same time. We found the following points in the release notes†

Workstation 4 includes improvements across the board, from the core virtual machine and virtual devices to networking and the user interface. Here’s a sampling of what’s new.

Improved core support for x86 architecture PCs

• Support for new host and guest operating systems, including Microsoft Server 2003 beta, Red Hat Linux 8.0 and 8.1 beta, Red Hat Linux Advanced Server 2.1, SuSE Linux 8.0, 8.1 and Enterprise Server 8, and Mandrake Linux 9.0
• Support for DOS EMM386, providing better legacy application compatibility
• Support for PAE host and guest operating systems
• Improved support for debugging within virtual machines
• Updated hardware: ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) and APIC (Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller) to make guest operating installations smooth
• VESA BIOS, providing a better graphics mode before VMware Tools is installed.

Improved multimedia and device support

• Improved sound, with support for a new industry standard sound device that provides better audio input and output performance
• Improved DVD and CD-R/RW support and faster performance, including support for burning CDs from a virtual machine
• Improved parallel port performance with major device compatibility improvements
• DirectDraw support, providing compatibility with applications that require this software interface
• Improved graphics performance when playing various video formats
• Support for USB 2.0 host devices that are becoming standard in newer desktop computers

New user interface and improved usability

• Completely new Linux user interface — too much to describe here; you have to see it
• New interface to switch between virtual machines by clicking a tab that acts like a virtual keyboard-video-mouse switch; you no longer need to manage a separate window for each virtual machine
• Snapshots — take a snapshot of your virtual machine at any time, whether it’s powered on, powered off or suspended, and revert to the snapshot anytime
• Improved favorites list lets you manage virtual machines using a browser-like favorites list, with folders to organize all of your virtual machines
• Drag and drop and shared folders provide new, easy ways to share files between guest and host; you no longer need to set up a network to share files

Improved networking

• Easier network configuration management on Windows hosts, so you can easily manage DHCP, NAT, virtual adapters and other features with a simple form-based interface, replacing the old text-based configuration files
• Support for wireless bridging so you can use a wireless adapter to access a network from a virtual machine, even with a VPN, and with support for all IP protocols
• Simplified installation and improved performance across the board