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VMware Workstation 6.5 beta

Originally published

If you are as curious and interested as I am, you should definitely download and install the latest VMware Workstation 6.5 beta.

Why participate in a VMware beta program?

Here are a few reasons why you should participate in VMware beta programs.

  • Exposure to the next generation features helps you grow your technical skills and understand the direction of the virtualization industry.
  • Ability to prove that the product will work properly in your environment and report areas where it doesn't.
  • Prototype your solution during the beta program and be ready for deployment when we reach General Availability.
  • Help shape today's product and tomorrow's features.
  • Ability to work with VMware engineers on some programs.
  • Problems encountered have a higher probability of being fixed by GA.

Join the Workstation 6.5 beta program.

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New features in VMware Workstation 6.5

  • Seamless integration of guest and host applications with Unity
  • Enhanced advanced VM Record and Replay
  • Support for Smart Cards & Smart Card Readers
  • Link state propagation networking
  • Enhanced ACE authoring capabilities
  • Easy Install Option's support for Linux
  • Improved 3D graphics Support
  • Release 91182 supports ESX 3.5 and 3i installations

I want to explore Unity and support for running ESX in a VM. I like to keep my host clean and can now have one VM for applications I use occasionally. I do not want to install Adobe Photoshop, Paintshop, Visual Studio and similar applications on the host. Unity lets me bring those applications to the host, and I will definitely use it quite often.

Since ESX 3.5 and 3i were released, I have been waiting for them to work in VMware Workstation. Thanks to Eric at NTPRo.nl for confirming that ESX is running in the latest Workstation 6.5 beta.