Introduction - Guest OS
VMware provides the widest virtualization support for guest operating systems in the industry to enable your environments and maximize your investments.
The VMware Compatibility Guide shows the certification status of operating system releases for use as a Guest OS by the following VMware products:
For other VMware product and solutions not listed here, refer to individual product documentation found at the VMware Documentation Web site at http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/
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The VMware Compatibility Guide shows the certification status of operating system releases for use as a Guest OS by the following VMware products:
- VMware ESXi/ESX Server 3.0 and later
- VMware Workstation 6.0 and later
- VMware Fusion 2.0 and later
- VMware ACE 2.0 and later
- VMware Server 2.0 and later
For other VMware product and solutions not listed here, refer to individual product documentation found at the VMware Documentation Web site at http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/
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VMware Certification and Support Levels
VMware product support for operating system releases can vary depending upon the specific VMware product release or update and can also be subject to:
The description of the various support levels is available in the following knowledge base article - http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2015161
- Installation of specific patches to VMware products
- Installation of specific operating system patches
- Adherence to guidance and recommendations that are documented in knowledge base articles
The description of the various support levels is available in the following knowledge base article - http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2015161
Certification by Operating System Vendors
The following operating system vendors provide certifications for VMware virtual hardware:
- Microsoft - http://windowsservercatalog.com/
- Red Hat - https://hardware.redhat.com/
- Novell - http://developer.novell.com/yessearch/
Support for 64-Bit Guest Operating Systems
To install and run 64-bit guest operating systems you need to fulfill the following requirements.
Requirements for all VMware products:
To install and run a 64-bit guest operating system, you must have a supported 64-bit CPU in the host computer and you must be running a VMware product that supports 64-bit guests. For details, see the documentation for your VMware product. For more information about hardware and firmware requirements for 64-bit guest operating systems, refer to knowledge base article 1003945 at http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1003945.
Additional requirements for products with a Type-2 or Hosted Hypervisor:
You can run 64-bit guests on supported 64-bit hardware (Intel or AMD) running either 32-bit or 64-bit host operating systems.
For 64-bit Intel hardware with VT support, running either 32-bit or 64-bit host operating systems, you must enable VT in the host machine BIOS.
Installation of Guest Operating System
Instruction for installation of various types of Guest Operating Systems releases is provided on-line at http://partnerweb.vmware.com/GOSIG/home.html
Requirements for all VMware products:
To install and run a 64-bit guest operating system, you must have a supported 64-bit CPU in the host computer and you must be running a VMware product that supports 64-bit guests. For details, see the documentation for your VMware product. For more information about hardware and firmware requirements for 64-bit guest operating systems, refer to knowledge base article 1003945 at http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1003945.
Additional requirements for products with a Type-2 or Hosted Hypervisor:
You can run 64-bit guests on supported 64-bit hardware (Intel or AMD) running either 32-bit or 64-bit host operating systems.
For 64-bit Intel hardware with VT support, running either 32-bit or 64-bit host operating systems, you must enable VT in the host machine BIOS.
Installation of Guest Operating System
Instruction for installation of various types of Guest Operating Systems releases is provided on-line at http://partnerweb.vmware.com/GOSIG/home.html
VMware Tools
VMware Tools is a suite of device drivers and utilities that enhances the performance of the guest operating system and improves management of the virtual machine. Although a guest operating system can run without VMware Tools, you lose important functionality and convenience. VMware Tools is provided in these formats:
- Virtual ISO Image Files - packaged within each VMware product
- Operating System Specific Packages (OSPs) - which are available on-line for select operating systems here at http://www.vmware.com/download/packages.html
- VMware Workstation - Workstation User's Manual
- VMware ESX - Basic System Administration Guide
- VMware Server - VMware Server User's Guide
- VMware Player - in-product online help
- Fusion - in-product online help