let us know if you are a Shared VMs(VMware Workstation Server) user

[Zongmin]

Hi there,

If you are a Shared VMs(VMware Workstation Server) user, could you pls let us know:

1. How do you use this Shared VM feature?
2. What works and what needs to improved?
3. How important is this feature to you?

Thanks,

VMware Workstation team

[mfelker]

I am a Workstation Server user and get somewhat preturbed when it doesn't work - most often on Linux.   It's been OK for quite awhile however even when running on kernel-5.0.x (with partch).

Mostly I used Shared VMs for virtual ESXi servers which work quite well in that environment.

If you have more questions don't hestitate to ask or PM me.

Marty Felker

VMware WS user since ver 1.0  in 1999.

[Zongmin]

Hi Marty,

Thanks for replying to our post.  That's actually interesting user case. Could you pls share instead of running ESXi on Workstation directly as a VM, why do you run ESXi under Shared VM?

Thanks,

VMware Workstation Team

[wila]

Hi,

1. To run some VMs Currently only a VM that provides a media server (music/movies/etc..) within the local network

2. In the past (VMware Server time) I also used this feature to control USB devices. As that no longer is supported.... can't do that anymore.

So it would be nice if proper USB support comes to shared VMs.

3. I tend to run my critical stuff on vSphere, so for me not that critical. However it would be a real shame if this feature would end up getting axed.

There certainly are use cases where having VMs start/stop with the host is critical. Think for example about using a virtual firewall appliance, or a VPN appliance.

--

Wil

[sjesse]

1. How do you use this Shared VM feature?

Since I don't want to worry about renewing hardware for a vsphere lab, I run it in a beefy workstation. I don't run everything in shared but I have a small set of infrastructures server that autostart with the host. Then as I need I can start up my different lab setups and not have to worrk about making sure stuff like AD and dns are working. I have these tuned so the cost of them running all the time compared to the total resources available are minimal

2.)What works and what needs to improved?

Its been working for me so fare, I generally forget they are local. I'd the autostart part to me alittle closer to the autostart functionality of an esxi host though.

3.)How important is this feature to you?

I'd rather not see it go

[tylerism]

1. How do you use this Shared VM feature?

        I connect to test machines on my primary computer when I work remote. The speed is great.

    2. What works and what needs to improved?

         Machines can suddenly crash. It happens often when I need to copy files.

    3. How important is this feature to you?
         Very important because I need want to work remote sometimes and I prefer to work in VMWare instead of using RDP