VMware Player is a fantastic application that lets you run a virtual PC on your system, which means literally to have two computers in one. Wohoo it feels great to have an additional free PC.

VMware Player is a fantastic application that lets you run a virtual PC on your system, which means literally to have two computers in one. Wohoo it feels great to have an additional free PC. That means you can have a lap of 5-6 machine or even more running of your lovely TP or PC, instead of having to fill your home with workstations to run your tests & developments

VMware Player becomes a bit like the younger brother of VMware Workstation, with fewer choices and features, but with the huge advantage of being free. It allows you to use virtual machines created in VMware Workstation, GSX Server or ESX Server. Hmmm, if you know your way around virtualization then you can even create virtual machines that run on VMware player without the need for other paid products!! You can find this documented at my post VMX Builder for VMware Player.

The virtual machine is a completely independent computer, with its own operating system (Windows, Linux, or Unix), your file system, applications, etc.. A perfect environment to test new operating systems, run programs that you do not need often, test new applications and utilities & countless more options. Have you run your full life of MS Windows box & was worried to format or dual boot with Linux as you are worried to miss up your machine, then VMware player can be your chance to try Linux. Have you heard of a Linux application that you wish you can run, but you are not ready to switch to Linux yet then VMware player can help you do just that? All you have to do is install VMware Player on your Windows machine & install your favorite Linux OS in it.

How about taking a replica of your production environment with you home at the end of the day, and carry out all your testing without affecting your production environment. Next day, you can carry out the same updates or procedure you have tested. Most companies have a problem with the cost of building a simulated environment of their production due to the cost of the hardware required. VMware player address this as you can have the exact production setup running of your laptop running in a virtual environment on VMware Player without costing the company for any extra hardware.

Since the virtual machine can surf the Internet, use the CD or DVD, share folders with your real machine and so on. As well you can save the state of the virtual machine to a certain time, and restore to it when needed. Virtual Machines give you unlimited usages, & give your creativity new edge.

At last, you might wonder which product is best fit for your need VMware player or VMware Workstation. Well, if you have to create & modify virtual machines often then you require VMware Workstation. If you just need to play & use virtual machines, or you will convert or import virtual machines from your production environment & test them then VMware Player will do the trick for your needs.

http://www.virtualizationteam.com