VMware Communities: FreeBSD as a Host

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GeekGod

11 posts since
Dec 11, 2004

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Dec 11, 2004 8:15 AM

FreeBSD as a Host

Is it possible for you guys to add support for running vmware in freebsd as a host? Many people use FreeBSD and this is keeping me from eliminating windows altogether. And no, Linux is not an option.

Thanks!!

JMills

2,627 posts since
Jun 18, 2004

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1. Dec 11, 2004 11:19 AM

in response to: GeekGod

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

Question... why is Linux not an option for a Host OS?

Is the chassis in question being used in split-personality mode? (Host OS doing more than just hosting the vPlatform engine)

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GeekGod

11 posts since
Dec 11, 2004

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2. Dec 11, 2004 11:24 AM

in response to: JMills

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

Because I have used FreeBSD since version 2.2 (around 94 or so) and do not feel comfortable with "Linux" as a whole and I suspect many of the FreeBSD/DragonFlyBSD users are in the same boat.

At any rate, FreeBSD and DragonFlyBSD (a fork of Free) have linux emulation available and even version 3.X works but no efforts have been given to bring the 3.X port up to date. Having FreeBSD as a host OS would bring many added benefits that the BSD community is well aware of.

Regards,

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JMills

2,627 posts since
Jun 18, 2004

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3. Dec 11, 2004 11:40 AM

in response to: GeekGod

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

At any rate, FreeBSD and DragonFlyBSD (a fork of Free)
have Linux emulation available and even version 3.X
works but no efforts have been given to bring the 3.X
port up to date.

You're talking about this, right?

http://portsmon.firepipe.net/portoverview.py?category=emulators&portname=vmware3

http://www.break.net/orlando/vmware3/

It sounds like all that'd be required on our part would be arranging for a comp. license of VMware Workstation 4.5.x for Linux for the maintainer, no?

They could then publish a "patch-set" which would be applied to the package (.tar.gz file) as downloaded by the end user/licensee from VMware directly.

Petr maintains a patchset in a similar manner, and did so long before he was an employee.

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GeekGod

11 posts since
Dec 11, 2004

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4. Dec 12, 2004 9:23 AM

in response to: JMills

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

Yes, thats what I was talking about.

What are the chances of this port being brought up to speed for 4.5?

Regards,

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JMills

2,627 posts since
Jun 18, 2004

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5. Dec 12, 2004 8:49 PM

in response to: GeekGod

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

Well, as I noted in my prior post... the maintainer isn't someone at VMware, Inc. ... So you'd need to ask them what sort of resources they'd require, no?

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GeekGod

11 posts since
Dec 11, 2004

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6. Dec 13, 2004 7:53 AM

in response to: JMills

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

Why can't vmware pick up where this person left off and deliver an update? I would feel more comfortable if VMWare actively maintained this port not to mention this would be a great platform as a host.

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JMills

2,627 posts since
Jun 18, 2004

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7. Dec 13, 2004 12:05 PM

in response to: GeekGod

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

Because the pricetag for the two would be significantly different?

In order to "support" FreeBSD as a Host OS, it would need to be run through the same development and QA cycle as all other Host OS options. Those costs would have to be outweighed by potential future sales. Simple business math, really.

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GeekGod

11 posts since
Dec 11, 2004

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8. Dec 13, 2004 12:46 PM

in response to: JMills

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

Not to keep on with this but have you all actually done a survey to see what hosts people want?

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JMills

2,627 posts since
Jun 18, 2004

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9. Dec 13, 2004 12:47 PM

in response to: GeekGod

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

I believe several have been done, but I'd have to defer to Product Management as to the details of such.

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Ramrod

2 posts since
Apr 23, 2005

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10. Apr 23, 2005 4:35 PM

in response to: GeekGod

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

I've been checking the vmware website on and off for the last year to see if there finally is support for vmware on FreeBSD hosts. It's a pity that there isn't. I would immediately purchase a license if there was.

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figjam

2 posts since
Jun 19, 2005

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11. Jun 19, 2005 9:20 AM

in response to: Ramrod

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

I too have been waiting for some movement on this for ages. Our company is a very strong supporter of VMware since I introduced it some years ago. A lot of our Q/A stuff is done via it. (fwiw, we had virtualpc too, but it was abandoned and upgraded to the latest VMware) There are a few of us, who only run BSD like systems including MACs. We cannot run vmware. We have to have 2 machines on our desks. Linux is not an option either as the company is almost entirely Sun based. We found Linux to be changing too many things to be able to maintain a stable platform to develop software on. C'est la vie.

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Daryll

2,343 posts since
Jul 10, 2003

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12. Jun 20, 2005 7:20 AM

in response to: figjam

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

Hey all,

As Jason has already stated earlier in this thread, the main determining factor we use in deciding to support a new HOST OS is potential future sales.

The FreeBSD market is very, very small right now. Most people who use FreeBSD are prone to use an OS such as Linux, and in fact many of them DO use Linux.

That's not to say that FreeBSD support will never happen; we just need a business case to do so. Several postings on the VMTN discussion forums (and this discussion here) will help.

Until we get a lot more intellectual ammunition on the FreeBSD front, I'm afraid this will remain as an unsupported host OS.

Readers' digest version:

If you want FreeBSD support, tell VMware about it. File a support request (if you have a support contract), post here, make yourself heard.

-Daryll

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osde.info

879 posts since
Jan 25, 2005

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13. Jun 23, 2005 7:47 AM

in response to: Daryll

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

I'd buy a FreeBSD version too. How many more potential customers do you need (to post their interest here too) ?

regards clive http://vizz.info

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pturbide

6 posts since
Jun 23, 2005

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14. Jun 23, 2005 10:00 AM

in response to: GeekGod

Re: FreeBSD as a Host

I have been waiting for a FREEBSD Host for a while.

We have at least 6 licenses at work that would be converted from Linux to FBSD due to stability reasons and since we mostly run FBSD servers.

Certainly my home license would be converted immediately.

The only reason that we run a linux host is due to lack of options. It's also fair to say if there is a competing product that comes out to be equivalent in functionality as vmware which would also support FBSD hosts, we will certainly move to that product. We're stuck at the moment.

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FreeBSD as a Host

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