VMware Workstation Player vs VMware Workstation Pro: A Comprehensive Comparison

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• VMware Workstation Pro vs VMware workstation Player difference

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VMware Workstation Pro vs VMware Workstation Player: Which One to Choose?

VMware is an excellent virtualization solution that has enterprise-level VMware vSphere products (like ESXi). There are also custom virtualization applications, VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro (also known as VMware Workstation), which will be discussed now. VMware Player and VMware Workstation are type 2 hypervisors that are installed on the host operating system running on a physical computer.

However, some differences may affect your choice.

VMware Workstation Player vs Pro: System Requirements Explained

VMware offers two popular virtualization products for desktop users: VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro. Both products enable users to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine, but they differ in features, capabilities, and system requirements. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right tool for your needs.

VMware Workstation Pro

System Requirements:

Operating System:

• Windows: Windows 8 or higher (64-bit)
• Linux: A recent 64-bit distribution from Ubuntu, Red Hat, CentOS, Fedora, or other common distributions

Processor:

• 64-bit x86 CPU released in 2011 or later, with support for Intel VT-x or AMD-V virtualization technologies
• Minimum: 1.3 GHz or faster core speed

Memory:

• Minimum: 4 GB RAM
• Recommended: 8 GB RAM or more for running multiple VMs

Storage:

• Minimum: 1.2 GB free disk space for the application
• Additional space required for each virtual machine

Key Features:

• Paid product with a wide range of advanced features
• Ability to run multiple virtual machines simultaneously
• Support for snapshots and clones for better VM management
• Enhanced networking capabilities, including network simulation and virtual network customization
• Remote connection to vSphere, ESXi, or other Workstation instances
• Advanced VM configurations with up to 16 vCPUs, 64 GB RAM, and 3D graphics support

VMware Workstation Player vs Pro: Operating System Guest Support Compared

When it comes to virtualization, one of the critical aspects to consider is the range of guest operating systems each platform supports. VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro both allow users to run multiple guest operating systems on a single physical machine, but they differ in the breadth of support and features offered.

VMware Workstation Player

Guest Operating System Support:

Windows:

• Windows 10, Windows 8.x, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and older versions
• Windows Server 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008

Linux:

• Ubuntu
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• CentOS
• Fedora
• Debian
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• Other common distributions

Other Operating Systems:

• FreeBSD
• Solaris
• Other Unix variants

Key Features:

• Basic support for a wide range of guest operating systems
• Suitable for running a single VM at a time
• Limited to simpler configurations without advanced virtualization features
• Ideal for users needing basic guest OS support for personal use or simple tasks

Guest OS Support Comparison

Windows Support:

• Player: Supports most desktop and server versions up to Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019.
• Pro: Adds support for the latest versions like Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022, and offers better performance and integration features.

Linux Support:

• Player: Supports popular distributions, suitable for general use.
• Pro: Expands support to include more distributions and provides enhanced features for Linux-based VMs.

Other Operating Systems:

• Player: Basic support for FreeBSD, Solaris, and other Unix variants.
• Pro: Extends support to macOS (with limitations) and provides experimental support for new and niche operating systems.

VMware Workstation Pro vs Player: Understanding the Limits

When choosing between VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro, it's essential to understand the limits and capabilities of each product. Both are powerful virtualization tools, but they cater to different needs and use cases. This guide will help you understand the key differences and limitations to make an informed decision.

VMware Workstation Player

Limits and Capabilities:

Usage:

• Free for personal, non-commercial use.
• Requires a license for commercial use.

Virtual Machine Capabilities:

• Limited to running a single VM at a time.
• Basic virtual hardware configuration (limited vCPU, RAM, and device support).
• No support for snapshots or VM cloning.
• Limited to simple VM management features.

Networking:

• Basic networking options (NAT, Bridged, and Host-only).
• No advanced networking features like custom virtual networks or network simulation.

Remote Management:

• No support for remote connections to vSphere, ESXi, or other Workstation instances.
• Limited remote management capabilities.

Automation and Scripting:

• Limited support for automation tools and scripting.
• No integrated REST API for automation.

Performance and Graphics:

• Limited 3D graphics support.
• Suitable for basic graphics tasks but not for high-performance or 3D-intensive applications.

Ideal For:

• Individuals who need to run a single VM for personal use or basic tasks.
• Users who do not require advanced VM management, networking, or automation features.
• Small-scale commercial use with a purchased license.

VMware Workstation Player vs Pro: Snapshot Management

Snapshot management is a crucial feature for many users of virtualization software, enabling the ability to save the state of a virtual machine (VM) at a specific point in time and revert to it later if needed. This feature is particularly useful for testing, development, and troubleshooting. Below is a detailed comparison of snapshot management capabilities in VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro.

VMware Workstation Player

Snapshot Management:

• Support for Snapshots:
  • VMware Workstation Player does not support snapshots. This means you cannot save the state of a VM at a particular point in time and revert to it later.
• Alternative Options:
  • While snapshots are not supported, users can manually copy the entire VM directory to create a backup. However, this method is less convenient and more time-consuming compared to snapshot functionality.

Ideal For:

• Users who do not need to frequently save and revert VM states.
• Scenarios where basic, ongoing use of a single VM suffices without the need for complex state management.

Key Differences at a Glance

Use Cases and Scenarios

Workstation Player:

• Basic Use: Suitable for users who run a single VM without the need to save and revert to multiple states.
• Simple Backups: Users can create manual backups by copying VM directories, though this is less efficient than using snapshots.

Workstation Pro:

• Software Development: Ideal for developers needing to test software in different environments and revert to previous states.
• QA Testing: Perfect for quality assurance teams who require precise control over the VM states during testing cycles.
• IT Training: Useful for trainers who need to demonstrate various scenarios and revert to initial states quickly.
• System Administration: Beneficial for system administrators who troubleshoot issues and need to revert to known good configurations.

VM Cloning: Features Compared

Virtual Machine (VM) cloning is a powerful feature that allows users to create exact copies of a VM. This is particularly useful for testing, development, and deployment scenarios where identical environments are needed. Here's a detailed comparison of the VM cloning features in VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro.

VMware Workstation Pro

VM Cloning:

Support for Cloning: VMware Workstation Pro provides extensive support for VM cloning, offering both full clones and linked clones.

Cloning Features:

Full Clone:

• A full clone is an exact, independent copy of a VM, including all the virtual disks. Full clones operate completely separately from the parent VM and do not require access to the parent VM after creation.
• Use Case: Ideal for creating completely isolated environments for testing and development that do not depend on the original VM.
• Linked Clone: A linked clone shares virtual disks with the parent VM, making it quicker to create and consuming less disk space. However, linked clones depend on the parent VM and cannot operate independently.
• Use Case: Perfect for creating multiple, space-efficient test environments that derive from a common base VM, useful in scenarios like software testing and training.

Ideal For:

• Developers and testers who need to create multiple identical environments quickly.
• IT professionals who require flexible and efficient management of test environments.
• Scenarios where space efficiency is important, and users need to manage multiple derivative VMs.

Key Differences at a Glance

Sharing VMs: Options and Differences

Sharing virtual machines (VMs) is a crucial feature for collaboration, training, and centralized management. VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro offer different capabilities when it comes to sharing VMs. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you understand the options and differences.

VMware Workstation Player

Sharing VMs:

Support for Sharing: VMware Workstation Player does not support the direct sharing of VMs. This means you cannot set up a VM to be accessed remotely by other users directly within the Player.

Alternative Options:

• Users can manually share VM files by copying the VM to another system. This process involves exporting the VM and transferring the files to another machine where it can be run locally.
• External tools and network setups can be used to share VMs, but this requires additional configuration and is not integrated within the Player.

Ideal For:

• Users who do not need integrated sharing capabilities.
• Scenarios where VMs can be manually transferred and run locally on different machines.

Key Differences at a Glance

Use Cases and Scenarios

Workstation Player:

• Basic Use: Suitable for individual users who do not need to share VMs.
• Manual Sharing: Users can manually copy and transfer VM files to share with others, but this is less efficient.

Workstation Pro:

• Team Collaboration: Ideal for teams needing to share VMs for collaborative work.
• Training and Education: Perfect for training environments where multiple users need access to the same VMs.
• Remote Management: Useful for IT professionals who need to manage VMs across a network or connect to other VMware environments.

Connecting to Remote Servers: Capabilities Comparison

Connecting to remote servers is an essential feature for managing virtual environments, especially in enterprise settings where centralized control and remote management are critical. VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro offer different levels of support and capabilities for connecting to remote servers. Here's a detailed comparison of these capabilities.

VMware Workstation Pro

Connecting to Remote Servers:

Support for Remote Connections: VMware Workstation Pro offers comprehensive support for connecting to remote servers, including VMware ESXi, vCenter Server, and other Workstation instances.

Remote Server Management Features:

• Direct Connection to ESXi and vCenter: Users can directly connect to and manage VMs on ESXi hosts and vCenter Server instances from the Workstation Pro interface.
• Setup: Easily add remote servers and manage their VMs as if they were local.
• Management: Perform tasks such as power on/off, configuration changes, and monitoring.
• Shared VMs: Share VMs over a network and allow remote access to other users.
• VMware vSphere Integration: Workstation Pro integrates with vSphere, allowing for seamless management of VMs across environments.
• Remote Desktop and VNC: Native support for accessing VMs using RDP and VNC protocols, providing flexible remote access options.

Ideal For:

• IT professionals and administrators who need to manage VMs across multiple remote servers.
• Teams that require centralized control and remote access to virtual environments.
• Enterprise environments where seamless integration with VMware's ecosystem is essential.

Key Differences at a Glance

Use Cases and Scenarios

Workstation Player:

• Basic Use: Suitable for individual users who manage and run VMs locally.
• Manual Transfer: Users can manually transfer VMs between systems but lack integrated remote management capabilities.
• Third-Party Tools: Remote desktop access can be set up using third-party tools, but this is not as seamless as integrated solutions.

Workstation Pro:

• Enterprise Management: Ideal for IT administrators managing multiple remote servers and needing integrated tools for remote VM management.
• Centralized Control: Perfect for organizations requiring centralized management of virtual environments across different locations.
• Seamless Integration: Useful for environments leveraging VMware's broader ecosystem, providing smooth integration and management capabilities.

Virtual Network Settings: Pro vs Player Differences

Virtual network settings are critical for creating complex networking configurations within virtualized environments. VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro offer different levels of support and capabilities for virtual networking. Here’s a detailed comparison of these capabilities.

VMware Workstation Player

Virtual Network Settings:

Basic Networking Options:

• NAT (Network Address Translation): Allows VMs to share the host's IP address for accessing external networks. Suitable for internet access without exposing VMs directly to the network.
• Bridged Networking: Provides VMs with direct access to the external network by bridging the VM's virtual network adapter to the host's physical network adapter. VMs receive IP addresses from the external network’s DHCP server.
• Host-Only Networking: Creates a private network between the host and VMs, isolated from the external network. Useful for testing and development purposes without network exposure.

Limitations:

• Limited to basic networking options (NAT, Bridged, Host-Only).
• No support for advanced virtual network customization or complex network topologies.
• Lack of network simulation features and VLAN support.

Ideal For:

• Users who need basic networking setups for their VMs.
• Scenarios where simple network configurations (like internet access or private networks) are sufficient.

VMware Workstation Pro

Virtual Network Settings:

• Advanced Networking Options:

  • NAT, Bridged, and Host-Only Networking:
    • Supports all basic networking options available in Workstation Player with additional features and flexibility.

• Additional Networking Features:

  • Custom Virtual Networks:
    • Users can create multiple custom virtual networks, defining specific network segments for different groups of VMs.
  • Network Simulation:
    • Allows for the simulation of complex network conditions, including bandwidth limits, packet loss, and latency. Useful for testing application performance under different network conditions.
  • VLAN Support:
    • Enables the creation and management of Virtual LANs (VLANs) for segmenting network traffic within the virtual environment.
  • Virtual Network Editor:
    • Provides a graphical interface for creating and managing custom virtual networks, including defining IP address ranges, DHCP settings, and network mappings.
  • Advanced Security and Isolation:
    • Supports enhanced security configurations, including network isolation and firewall settings for VMs.

• Integration with VMware Ecosystem:

  • Seamless integration with other VMware products, such as vSphere and ESXi, enabling complex networking setups across different VMware environments.

Ideal For:

• IT professionals and administrators who require advanced virtual networking capabilities.
• Development and testing environments that need to simulate complex network conditions.
• Organizations that need to manage segmented network traffic and enforce security policies within virtual environments.

Key Differences at a Glance

Use Cases and Scenarios

Workstation Player:

• Basic Use: Suitable for individual users who need simple network setups.
• Educational Purposes: Ideal for learning about basic networking without complex configurations.
• Basic Testing: Useful for testing applications that do not require advanced network setups.

Workstation Pro:

• Enterprise Management: Ideal for IT administrators managing complex network environments.
• Development and Testing: Perfect for developers who need to simulate various network conditions and configurations.
• Advanced Security: Useful for organizations that need to enforce strict network isolation and security policies.
• Integration Needs: Beneficial for environments leveraging VMware’s broader ecosystem for integrated network management.

Restricted/Encrypted VMs: Comparison

The ability to restrict and encrypt virtual machines (VMs) is crucial for maintaining security and control over sensitive data and configurations. VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro offer different levels of support for these features. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you understand the options and differences.

VMware Workstation Player

Restricted/Encrypted VMs:

• Support for Restricted VMs:
  • VMware Workstation Player does not support creating or managing restricted VMs. This means you cannot enforce policies such as preventing users from modifying VM settings or ensuring that a VM can only be run on authorized devices.
• Support for Encrypted VMs:
  • VMware Workstation Player does not support VM encryption. Users cannot encrypt VM files to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.

Ideal For:

• Users who do not require strict security and control over their VMs.
• Scenarios where basic VM usage is sufficient without the need for advanced security features.

VMware Workstation Pro

Restricted/Encrypted VMs:

• Support for Restricted VMs:

  • VMware Workstation Pro provides comprehensive support for creating and managing restricted VMs. This includes:
    • Policy Enforcement: Administrators can set policies that control user access to VM settings, such as preventing changes to VM configuration, connecting/disconnecting devices, or accessing the VM console.
    • Device Authorization: VMs can be restricted to run only on specified devices, enhancing security and control.
    • Expiration Policies: Administrators can set expiration dates for VMs, ensuring they can only be used for a specified period.

• Support for Encrypted VMs:

  • VMware Workstation Pro supports VM encryption, allowing users to:
    • Encrypt VM Files: Protect sensitive data by encrypting VM configuration and disk files, preventing unauthorized access.
    • Encryption Management: Use passwords to control access to encrypted VMs, ensuring only authorized users can start and manage the VM.
    • Enhanced Security: Encrypted VMs are protected from tampering and unauthorized inspection, crucial for environments handling sensitive information.

Ideal For:

• IT administrators and professionals who need to enforce strict security policies and control over VM usage.
• Organizations that handle sensitive data and require encrypted VMs to protect against unauthorized access and data breaches.
• Scenarios where compliance with security standards and regulations is necessary.

Key Differences at a Glance

Use Cases and Scenarios

Workstation Player:

• Basic Use: Suitable for individual users who do not need advanced security and control features.
• Simple Testing: Ideal for environments where security and access control are not primary concerns.
• Educational Purposes: Useful for learning and experimentation without the need for restrictive policies.

Workstation Pro:

• Enterprise Security: Ideal for organizations that need to enforce strict security policies and control over VMs.
• Compliance and Regulation: Perfect for environments that must comply with data protection regulations and standards.
• Sensitive Data Handling: Essential for scenarios where VMs handle sensitive information and require encryption to protect against data breaches.
• Controlled Environments: Useful for IT administrators who need to ensure VMs are only accessible and modifiable by authorized users.

Raw Device Mapping: Support Differences

Raw Device Mapping (RDM) allows virtual machines (VMs) to directly access physical storage devices on the host, providing the ability to use physical disks, partitions, or LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) as virtual disks. This feature is beneficial for scenarios that require direct access to the physical hardware, such as performance testing, development, or running storage-intensive applications. Here's a comparison of RDM support in VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro.

VMware Workstation Player

Raw Device Mapping Support:

• Support for Raw Device Mapping:
  • VMware Workstation Player does not support Raw Device Mapping (RDM). Users cannot configure VMs to directly access physical disks or partitions on the host system.
• Alternative Options:
  • Users can create and use virtual disks stored on the host’s file system.
  • Physical disk access can be emulated through virtual disk files, but this does not provide the same level of performance or direct hardware access as RDM.

Ideal For:

• Users who do not require direct access to physical storage devices.
• Scenarios where standard virtual disks are sufficient for VM storage needs.

VMware Workstation Pro

Raw Device Mapping Support:

• Support for Raw Device Mapping:

  • VMware Workstation Pro provides comprehensive support for Raw Device Mapping (RDM), allowing VMs to directly access physical disks and partitions. This includes:
    • Direct Disk Access: VMs can use entire physical disks or specific partitions on the host system.
    • Advanced Storage Configurations: Enables advanced configurations such as using SSDs, RAID arrays, and other high-performance storage setups directly within VMs.
    • Performance Benefits: Direct access to physical hardware can result in improved performance for storage-intensive applications and tasks.

• Configuration Options:

  • Adding a Physical Disk: Users can add a physical disk to a VM via the VM settings, selecting the specific disk or partition to map.
  • Disk Type Options: Supports both IDE and SCSI disk types, providing flexibility based on the storage hardware.

Ideal For:

• IT professionals and developers who need to test and develop applications with direct hardware access.
• Scenarios requiring high-performance storage solutions and direct access to physical disks.
• Environments where storage configuration and performance are critical factors.

Key Differences at a Glance

Use Cases and Scenarios

Workstation Player:

• Basic Use: Suitable for users who do not need direct hardware access and are content with virtual disks stored on the host’s file system.
• General VM Storage: Ideal for typical VM usage where standard virtual disks suffice.

Workstation Pro:

• Performance Testing: Ideal for developers and IT professionals who need to test applications with direct hardware access.
• High-Performance Applications: Suitable for environments requiring high-performance storage configurations, such as SSDs and RAID arrays.
• Advanced Storage Needs: Perfect for scenarios where advanced storage configurations and direct access to physical disks are necessary.

Nested Virtualization: Features Overview

Nested virtualization allows you to run a virtual machine (VM) within another VM. This feature is particularly useful for testing and development environments, where creating and managing complex virtual infrastructures is necessary. VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro offer different levels of support and capabilities for nested virtualization. Here’s an overview of these features.

VMware Workstation Player

Nested Virtualization:

• Support for Nested Virtualization:

  • VMware Workstation Player offers limited support for nested virtualization. While it is possible to run VMs within VMs, the feature is not optimized and may lack performance and functionality compared to Workstation Pro.

• Configuration and Usage:

  • Basic nested virtualization can be achieved by enabling hardware-assisted virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) in the VM settings.
  • The feature is not officially supported or documented in detail, leading to potential performance issues and limited functionality.

• Ideal For:

  • Users who need to experiment with nested virtualization but do not require full-fledged support.
  • Simple nested VM setups for educational purposes or basic testing.

VMware Workstation Pro

Nested Virtualization:

• Support for Nested Virtualization:

  • VMware Workstation Pro provides comprehensive support for nested virtualization. This includes optimized performance and extensive configuration options to run hypervisors within VMs efficiently.

• Configuration and Usage:

  • Enable Nested Virtualization: Easily enable nested virtualization in the VM settings, ensuring hardware-assisted virtualization is activated.
  • Advanced Features: Support for features like virtualized Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI, which are crucial for running hypervisors within VMs efficiently.
  • Optimized Performance: Enhanced performance for nested VMs, allowing for more complex and resource-intensive setups.

• Use Cases:

  • Testing and Development: Ideal for developers and IT professionals who need to test multi-layer virtualization setups.
  • Training and Education: Useful for creating training environments that mimic complex virtual infrastructures.
  • CI/CD Pipelines: Suitable for continuous integration and delivery pipelines requiring isolated, multi-tiered virtual environments.

Key Differences at a Glance

Use Cases and Scenarios

Workstation Player:

• Basic Nested VMs: Suitable for users needing basic nested virtualization capabilities without extensive configuration or performance needs.
• Educational Purposes: Ideal for learning and experimenting with nested virtualization in a limited capacity.
• Simple Testing: Useful for basic nested VM setups and preliminary testing.

Workstation Pro:

• Advanced Nested VMs: Ideal for IT professionals and developers needing comprehensive nested virtualization support for complex setups.
• Performance Testing: Suitable for environments requiring high performance and optimized nested virtualization.
• Training and Development: Perfect for creating advanced training environments and development/testing labs that require multi-layered virtualization.

Differences in the User Interface: Pro vs Player

The user interface (UI) is a critical aspect of any software, as it impacts usability, efficiency, and overall user experience. VMware Workstation Player and VMware Workstation Pro have distinct differences in their user interfaces, reflecting their target audiences and intended use cases. Here's an overview of the key UI differences between the two products.

VMware Workstation Player

User Interface Overview:

• Simplicity and Ease of Use:

  • VMware Workstation Player features a simplified, user-friendly interface designed for ease of use.
  • The UI focuses on basic functionality, making it accessible for users who need to run VMs without complex configuration.

• Main Interface Components:

  • Home Screen: The home screen provides quick access to essential tasks such as creating, opening, and running VMs.
  • Virtual Machine Library: A straightforward list of available VMs with options to start, stop, and delete them.
  • Settings and Preferences: Basic settings for managing VM hardware, display options, and network configurations.

• Customization and Advanced Options:

  • Limited customization options compared to Workstation Pro.
  • Lacks advanced settings for networking, snapshots, and VM cloning.

Ideal For:

• Users who need a simple, easy-to-use virtualization tool.
• Scenarios where basic VM management is sufficient without the need for advanced features.

VMware Workstation Pro

User Interface Overview:

• Comprehensive and Feature-Rich:

  • VMware Workstation Pro features a comprehensive, feature-rich interface designed for power users and IT professionals.
  • The UI provides access to advanced functionality and extensive configuration options.

• Main Interface Components:

  • Home Screen: Similar to Workstation Player but includes additional options for advanced tasks and recent VMs.
  • Virtual Machine Library: An enhanced library view with more detailed information about each VM, including snapshots and configurations.
  • Tabs and Multiple Windows: Ability to open multiple VMs in tabs or separate windows, enhancing multitasking and VM management.
  • Snapshot Manager: A dedicated interface for managing VM snapshots, allowing users to create, revert, and organize snapshots.
  • Virtual Network Editor: A powerful tool for configuring custom virtual networks, VLANs, and network simulation settings.
  • Settings and Preferences: Extensive settings for configuring VM hardware, display, network, and security options.

• Customization and Advanced Options:

  • Advanced customization options for VM hardware, network settings, and security configurations.
  • Supports advanced features like VM cloning, encryption, and shared VMs.

Ideal For:

• IT professionals and power users who need advanced virtualization features and extensive control over VM configurations.
• Scenarios where complex VM management, networking, and security settings are required.

Key Differences at a Glance

Command Line Interface: Usage Comparison

VMware Workstation Pro includes a powerful Command Line Interface (CLI) that provides users with the ability to manage virtual machines (VMs) and perform various tasks without using the graphical user interface (GUI). This can be particularly useful for automation, scripting, and remote management. Here’s a detailed overview of the CLI capabilities in VMware Workstation Pro.

Overview of CLI Tools

VMware Workstation Pro offers several command-line utilities that facilitate VM management and automation. The most commonly used CLI tools are vmrun and vmware-cmd.

1. vmrun

vmrun is a versatile command-line utility that allows users to perform a wide range of operations on VMs. It can start, stop, reset, and manage VMs, as well as perform guest operations such as running programs and managing files.

Basic Syntax:

Common Commands:

• Starting a VM:
  bash

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  vmrun start "path\to\vmx_file.vmx"
• Stopping a VM:
  bash

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  vmrun stop "path\to\vmx_file.vmx"
• Resetting a VM:
  bash

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  vmrun reset "path\to\vmx_file.vmx"
• Suspending a VM:
  bash

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  vmrun suspend"path\to\vmx_file.vmx"
• Creating a Snapshot:
  bash

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  vmrun snapshot "path\to\vmx_file.vmx""snapshot_name"
• Reverting to a Snapshot:
  bash

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  vmrun revertToSnapshot "path\to\vmx_file.vmx""snapshot_name"
• Running a Program in Guest OS:
  bash

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  vmrun -gu -gp runProgramInGuest "path\to\vmx_file.vmx""p

Advanced Commands:

• Managing Shared Folders:
  bash

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  vmrun addSharedFolder "path\to\vmx_file.vmx""share_name""host_folder" vmrun removeSharedFolder "path\to\vmx_file.vmx""share_name"
• Managing VM Networks:
  bash

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  vmrun setNetworkAdapter "path\to\vmx_file.vmx"

2. vmware-cmd

vmware-cmd is another command-line utility used for managing VMs. It provides functionality similar to vmrun but is more focused on ESXi and vCenter environments. However, it can also be used with Workstation Pro for certain tasks.

Basic Syntax:

Common Commands:

• Getting VM Status:
  bash

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  vmware-cmd "path\to\vmx_file.vmx" getstate
• Powering On a VM:
  bash

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  vmware-cmd "path\to\vmx_file.vmx" start
• Powering Off a VM:
  bash

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  vmware-cmd "path\to\vmx_file.vmx" stop
• Resetting a VM:
  bash

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  vmware-cmd "path\to\vmx_file.vmx" reset

Use Cases and Scenarios

Automation and Scripting:

• Automated VM Management: Use scripts to automate routine tasks such as starting, stopping, and snapshot management of VMs.
• Integration with CI/CD Pipelines: Integrate VM operations within Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment pipelines to automate testing and deployment processes.

Remote Management:

• Remote VM Operations: Perform VM operations remotely without needing to access the GUI, which is useful for managing servers and headless setups.

Batch Processing:

• Bulk VM Operations: Execute commands on multiple VMs simultaneously using scripts, which can save time in large environments.

Advanced Administration:

• Detailed Configuration: Use CLI to configure advanced VM settings and network options that may not be easily accessible through the GUI.

Example Scripts

Example 1: Starting Multiple VMs

Example 2: Creating Snapshots for All VMs in a Directory

Example 3: Running a Program in Guest OS

VMware Workstation Pro’s Command Line Interface provides powerful tools for managing VMs, automating tasks, and integrating with other systems. The vmrun utility offers a broad range of commands for VM operations, guest operations, and advanced configurations. For users who require robust, scriptable control over their virtual environments, the CLI in VMware Workstation Pro is an invaluable feature that enhances productivity and efficiency.

VMware Player: Command Line Interface Details

While VMware Workstation Player is primarily designed with a simplified, user-friendly graphical user interface, it also provides some command-line interface (CLI) capabilities. However, the CLI functionality in Workstation Player is more limited compared to VMware Workstation Pro. Here’s an overview of the CLI capabilities available in VMware Workstation Player.

Overview of CLI Tools

VMware Workstation Player uses the vmrun utility, which is also available in Workstation Pro. The vmrun tool allows users to perform basic operations on VMs from the command line. While Workstation Player supports fewer vmrun commands than Workstation Pro, it still offers essential functionality for basic VM management and automation.

Using vmrun with Workstation Player

vmrun is the primary CLI tool for interacting with VMs in VMware Workstation Player. Below are the details on its usage and the common commands supported.

Basic Syntax:

Common Commands

• Starting a VM:

  bash

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  vmrun start "path\to\vmx_file.vmx"

  Starts a specified VM.

• Stopping a VM:

  bash

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  vmrun stop "path\to\vmx_file.vmx"

  Stops a specified VM.

• Resetting a VM:

  bash

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  vmrun reset "path\to\vmx_file.vmx"

  Resets a specified VM.

• Suspending a VM:

  bash

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  vmrun suspend"path\to\vmx_file.vmx"

  Suspends a specified VM.

• Listing Running VMs:

  bash

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  vmrun list

  Lists all currently running VMs.

Guest Operations

• Running a Program in Guest OS:

  bash

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  vmrun -gu -gp runProgramInGuest "path\to\vmx_file.vmx""path\to\program"

  Runs a specified program inside the guest OS.

• Copying Files from Host to Guest:

  bash

  Copy code

  vmrun -gu -gp copyFileFromHostToGuest "path\to\vmx_file.vmx""path\to\host_file""path\to\guest_file"

  Copies a file from the host to the guest OS.

• Copying Files from Guest to Host:

  bash

  Copy code

  vmrun -gu -gp copyFileFromGuestToHost "path\to\vmx_file.vmx""path\to\guest_file""path\to\host_file"

  Copies a file from the guest OS to the host.

Example Commands

Starting a VM:

Stopping a VM:

Resetting a VM:

Running a Program in Guest OS:

Listing Running VMs:

Limitations of CLI in Workstation Player

• Advanced Features: Unlike VMware Workstation Pro, Workstation Player does not support advanced CLI operations such as creating and managing snapshots, cloning VMs, or configuring advanced network settings.
• Limited Automation: While basic automation is possible using vmrun, more complex automation tasks that require advanced features are better suited for Workstation Pro.
• No Support for Shared VMs and Remote Connections: Workstation Player does not support sharing VMs over a network or connecting to remote VMware environments through the CLI.

Use Cases and Scenarios

Basic VM Management:

• Start, Stop, and Reset VMs: Use the CLI to control VM power states without accessing the GUI.
• Guest OS Operations: Perform basic operations inside the guest OS, such as running programs and copying files.

Automation and Scripting:

• Simple Automation: Automate routine tasks like starting and stopping VMs using scripts.
• Integration with Other Tools: Integrate basic VM operations with other scripts and tools for streamlined workflows.

VMware Workstation Player’s command-line capabilities, while limited compared to VMware Workstation Pro, provide essential functionality for basic VM management and automation. The vmrun utility allows users to perform key operations like starting, stopping, and resetting VMs, as well as executing commands within the guest OS. For users who need more advanced features and extensive automation capabilities, VMware Workstation Pro would be a more suitable choice. However, for basic needs, the CLI in Workstation Player can be a useful tool for managing VMs efficiently.

VMFS Recovery for VM Snapshots Repair: A Guide for VMware Users

DiskInternals VMFS Recovery is an application that helps to recover hopelessly lost VMDK files - snapshot from damaged and faulty virtual disks. The recommended utility automatically checks the status of the VMware VMFS data storage and volumes, then reads the VMFS structures where possible and restores them. All found data is viewed for free using the Preview option. If you are not confident in your abilities, you can simply use the Recovery Wizard and simply follow its instructions until the end of the process.

Detailed instructions for DiskInternals VMFS Recovery are included:

Download and install the application on your computer.

Open it and connect via SSH.

Then left-click to open the disk and activate the disk scanning process.

Select VMDK necessary files and mount them.

Browse all the results, as prepared, and view for free.

After that, having bought a license for VMFS Recovery, you will be provided with a unique license key. Now, you have everything to start exporting data.