3.0

This chapter includes the following topics:
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“What You Can Do with VMware Player,” on page 8
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“Features in VMware Player,” on page 8
What You Can Do with VMware Player
VMware Player allows you to perform various tasks in a virtual machine. You can create and run virtual
machines, use and evaluate prebuilt applications, simplify software distribution, and collaborate with
colleagues.
Create and Run Virtual Machines
Create a
virtual machine to configure and test desktops and servers as virtual machines before deploying them
to production. You can test new multitier applications, application updates, and operating system patches on
a single PC. You can host legacy applications within virtual machines, facilitating operating system migrations
and eliminating the need to port legacy applications.
Use and Evaluate Prebuilt Applications
Download and safely run prebuilt application environments on virtual machines that are available from the
Virtual Appliance Marketplace section on the VMware Web site. The Virtual Appliance Marketplace includes
virtual machines from leading software vendors, including Oracle, Red Hat, Novell, BEA, SpikeSource, IBM,
and MySQL, as well as virtual machines that are preconfigured with popular open source software.
Transform Software Distribution
Simplify software distribution by shipping preconfigured software on virtual machines. Customers can
experience the benefits of your products immediately, without setup hassles. VMware Player is ideal for
shipping evaluation copies or beta software. You can package complex, sophisticated applications, complete
with a full working environment, on a virtual machine that anyone who downloads VMware Player can use.
Collaborate with Colleagues
VMware Player makes it easy for support, development, and QA to share customer scenarios in virtual
machines.
Features in VMware Player
VMware Player is a desktop application for creating and running virtual machines.
VMware Player includes the following new features:
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Create Virtual Machine with Easy Install - Create a virtual machine and install any supported guest
operating system with Easy Install.
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New User Interface - New virtual machine library interface is now available. The interface to create virtual
machines and edit virtual machine settings is also available.
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Aero Glass Support - New Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) graphics driver available by default
for Windows Vista and Windows 7 provides support for the Windows Aero user interface. The WDDM
driver also includes support for OpenGL 1.4 and Shader Model 3.0. VMware recommends that you use
the graphics hardware NVIDIA GeForce 8800 and ATI Radeon HD 2600 with Aero.
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3D Graphics Improvements - OpenGL 2.1 and Shader Model 3.0 support is available for Windows XP
virtual machines. The XPDM graphics driver works with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.
However, only Windows XP virtual machines install the graphics driver by default.
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Multiple display Support - Virtual machines can now take advantage of multiple monitors.
Getting Started Guide
8 VMware, Inc.