Posted by Bangalore: VMware Fusion and Workstation new versions are more centric to developers as they cater to developers needs, according to VMware.
VMware has unveiled VMware Fusion and Workstation new versions 12 and 16 respectively. With these new updates, VMware has addressed the needs of developers with tools and support for application orchestration.
According to VMware, these new releases support developers‘ need and capabilities of virtual machines (VMs) to containers based applications orchestration with Kubernetes, enabling simplified workflows.
“Developers can now slipstream Kubernetes applications from test/dev into production,” said Lee Caswell, VP – Marketing, Cloud Platform Business Unit – VMware.
“We’ve built a consistent CI/CD operational model that —with our free Player version available for all developers,” added Caswell.
VMware Fusion 12 also has a new Fusion Player with a free personal use license and paid license for commercial use.
Expanding Support for Developers
VMware has long served developers as well as end-users and IT professionals with some of the best features with its desktop hypervisor products—VMware Fusion and Workstation.
Modern application developers with enhancements to VMware’s container engine CLI—vctl—have got an extended support from the new releases. And is making it available on Workstation for Windows.
With Fusion or Workstation, developers will be able to support more custom Kubernetes clusters with support for ‘kind’ — a tool for running local Kubernetes clusters using containers as “nodes.”
Containers built with vctl can be tested on local Kubernetes clusters to validate pipeline workflows prior to upstreaming them to a central registry such as Harbor. The containers, in turn, can be implemented on larger VMware Cloud Foundation 4 with Tanzu production clusters in a service delivery pipeline.
Additionally, administrators will be able to connect with VMware vSphere 7 through ESXi and vCenter for remote VM operation and maintenance tasks. Supporting the latest physical and virtual hardware features, Fusion and Workstation provide out-of-the-box workload mobility / compatibility between desktops and data centers.
In view with macOS 11.0 Big Sur next release, VMware has made full use of Apple’s hypervisor and other APIs. It has removed the need for kernel extensions and supporting macOS 11 as both host and guest.
Additional new VMware Fusion and Workstation features
● DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1 – Running games and apps support with Direct3D version 11 or OpenGL 4.1
● Windows 10 Hyper-V Mode – VMware Workstation products support running VMs, containers and Kubernetes clusters on PCs with Windows 10 version 2004 that have Hyper-V mode enabled.
● Dark Mode – For Workstation Pro and Player UIs, a new Dark Mode feature will seamlessly align with the latest versions of Windows 10, including the recently released 2004 build.
● eGPU Compatibility – Fusion Player and Pro will support eGPU devices, helping offload the resource-taxing graphics rendering process from the internal integrated or discrete GPU to a much more powerful external one.
● Improved Accessibility – Accessibility controls in compliance with VPAT Section 508, helping users get the full benefits of virtual machines.
Pricing and Availability
VMware is introducing Fusion 12 Player which will follow the same pricing and licensing model as Workstation Player—meaning it is available free for Personal Use—and requires a license for Commercial
Use. VMware Fusion 12 Player and Workstation 16 Player New Licenses will be available for $149, and Upgrade Licenses will be available for $79.
VMware Fusion 12 Pro and VMware Workstation 16 Pro are expected to be available in VMware’s Q3 FY21 (ending Oct. 30, 2020). Upgrades for each will be available for $99 and new licensing is available for $199.