Virtualization Part 3: VMware Fusion

Welcome to Part 3 of our Virtualization mini-series. Today's feature is VMware Fusion. If you didn't read Part 1: Basics of Virtualization or Part 2: VMware Workstation, you can follow those links to the posts. This post will wrap up our discussion of virtualization and I hope that it wasn't a total bust. I hope it was interesting for y'all to read.

VMware Fusion is basically the same thing as VMware Workstation only made specially for Mac. Wait Windows users, before you stop reading, this is important for you to know because this is how you can run both Mac and Windows OS's without even a hiccup (when you buy a Mac). Fusion allows you to run any OS (Vista, XP, Linux, even Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, whatever!) just like Workstation. In Part 2, I explained how the virtualization software works on the surface. Basically, it sets up fake hard drives in normal file folders and uses those folders to install the OS. Fusion is the same as Workstation in that regard. Pretty much, although there are many differences, the two software suites are basically the same. The big difference (as far as I can tell) is a single feature: Unity Mode.

Unity Mode allows you to run an operating system (I will be using XP for my examples - its way better than Vista) as if the operating system wasn't actually running (just so you know, my computer is a Macbook with a 2.4GHz Intel 2 Duo and 4 GB of DDR2 RAM). So what does that mean? Well, basically it hides the actual Fusion window and makes it appear as if the OS weren't running. You can, however, load any Windows program as if it was part of the Mac. So, if you were considering getting a Mac (because they are sweet), but were afraid that you wouldn't be able to run those Windows programs you love so much, don't worry about it. You can run them without problem. Here, take a look at some of these screen shots from my own computer:

You can see here, XP running inside Mac. Look at the top title bar and notice that it says VMware Fusion.

This is Fusion running XP which is running Firefox

The Unity icon that switches to Unity mode (from this point on, the shots will be in Unity mode)

This is Unity Mode with the Windows Task Bar. You can see that the desktop is my Mac desktop and the Task Bar is XP's.

This one is Unity Mode without the task bar. You can open programs using the Fusion bar on top, selecting applications, etc. All the programs on that list are from XP.

Unity Mode running My Computer. Notice the bottom icon that says, shared folder on .host(z). That is the network connection between my virtual XP and my Mac.

Lastly, Mac Spaces demonstrating XP in fullscreen mode running its own, autonomous space from the rest of my Mac computer.

Whew, thats that. Well I hope you have enjoyed this mini-series on Virtualization. My hope is that you learned something and have a desire to either experiment or learn more about it. Make comments if you have questions and I will answer them. Thanks for reading!

Virtualization Part 2: VMware Workstation

Welcome to Part 2 of the virtualization mini-series. If you didn't get a chance to read Part 1: Virtualization, you should read it before going on (I wrote it so it must be good, right?).

VMware Workstation is a software suite that allows you to virtualize in a desktop environment. It is software that allows you to run multiple operating systems within your native operating system seamlessly. Lets begin with a scenario:

Lets say you were reading a really cool blog about cool internet sites and software when you learned about an operating system (OS). You would really like to try out the OS on my computer but it seems complicated and you think you would need to format your computer. Not so! All you need is a virtualization software. It is actually quite simple and requires little know-how. You won't even need to format. You can simply download the trial version of VMware Workstation (definitely not a free software package, although free ones exist) and try it out... FREE. All you need to do is load up Workstation and follow the steps (I have them ready to go for you right here). So now you can try out the OS without messing up your current system. Better yet, you can run both operating systems at the same time.

How does it work? Basically the software sets up a pseudo partition on your hard drive. It creates a file folder somewhere on your drive (you choose the spot - it defaults to a folder called virtual drives, or something) and allows for that file folder to be formatted (according to the file system of a particular OS) and an OS put on it. You determine the size and everything. You can even set it up so that the partition is only the size required by the OS and then anything you want to install using on that OS, you put on your native drive using the network connection that is automatically set up when you install. VMware powers up and runs the operating system and it runs like any other application. You must also (when setting up the partition) determine the memory allocation, processor allocation, etc. The beautiful thing is that both operating systems run together like two friends... and you get to hang out with both of them (wow that was a nerdy metaphor). Just know that you cannot run a Mac OS on VMware Workstation without some tweaking. The tweaking process is not easy. If you want to try it, find a tutorial via Google.

Screenshots anyone? (Left: XP running Vista. Right: Vista running XP)















Try It Free (the full version costs moneys)

3 Part Series: Virtualization

This is the first part in a 3 part series on Virtualization. Today's part is an explanation on virtualization and the next 2 parts highlight two specific products that I feel are the best. I hope you like the information. I realize this post will be highly "information dense" but the next 2 will be more product/site based. Enjoy!

Virtualization. This is a very important word for the future of computing (business computing especially). Virtualization (in the terms we are talking) is the creation of psuedo-partitions on a hard disk upon which an operating system can be installed (virtualized) and used. Basically, it is the creation of an operating system that runs within an existing operating system through some application (i.e. VMware, Virtual Desktop, etc). It really isn't a very complicated idea from this standpoint. For example, I run Mac OS X and I virtualize Windows XP, Windows Vista, and most any Linux distro on my computer so that I can use some of the programs that only run on Windows and play with Linux.

So why is virtualization important for corporate computer needs? Great question. Think about what it takes to run a corportate network. There are lots and lots of computers and monitors, each computer has its own hard drive and is attached to the network where some central storage exists. Think about a big company like Google. They require A LOT of storage space for all of their computers AND their business processes. They offer online storage as a service to people like me, but also they have to keep records and store a lot of stuff. Where do they get their storage space? They have to buy it from third party vendors. This is a costly proposition when you consider the amount of storage needed (petabytes, someday exabytes). If a company like Google can save on the amount of space their operating systems take up on storage, they can save a lot of clams. The Solution: virtualize data and virtualize storage. Google can (and does) buy software that virtualizes storage drives in one storage drive for many operating systems at once. Check out the diagram. Each box represents a physical storage volume. Can you see how the numerous OS (operating system) volumes are combined into one, centralized disk? Now, rather than 3 volumes you have 1. Think of this on a LARGE scale: rather than thousands of volumes, you have a few.

Further, virtualization software is able to centralize key components of each operating system (i.e. the kernel - the basic building block of the operating system) and share it over the operating systems. This DRAMATICALLY cuts down on the amount of storage needs. I have heard that through proper vitualization, firms can save up to 90% storage space (from a very knowleadgable source that works for NetApp - a storage company). That is huge when you consider the amount of dollar savings associated. As Harry Caray would say: "Holy Cow."

So how does virtualization affect you and me? I use virtualized operating systems everyday (as I mentioned) so that I have further functionality on my computer. Truthfully, though, it doesn't have to affect us unless we want it to. If you are a part of a major corporation, chances are they are using virtualization to some extent. If you just like to play with stuff like I do, then virtualization is fun. If you would like to learn how to use other operating systems to expound your horizons, virtualization is an easy way to do it. Its great. Even better, if one day you will own a major company or corporation and be making millions of dollars and want to make more dollars, you will be using virutalized storage and software. If you want to know if your company utilizes this technology, ask your IT guy or gal. They would probably love to talk about it, and you might impress them with your newfound knowledge.

That's it for this post: a very, VERY basic description of virtualization. The main type of virtualization we will talk about in Parts 2 and 3 are operating system virtualization and we will focus on specific products of VMware (i.e. Workstation and Fusion). If you want more information about read this, this, or this... or watch this.