The VMware Knowledge Base provides support solutions, error messages and troubleshooting guides
Search the VMware Knowledge Base (KB)
View by Article ID
FAQ: VMware Product Features and Functionality (1168)
Solution
How can I find information regarding features and known issues for VMware products?
To get a product overview, click on our Product Index. Click the appropriate product to get a product overview, a list of features, and more.
To get release notes, go to the VMware Download Center. Click on the appropriate product, and under Product Downloads, click the Details link for the appropriate version. Under Related Resources, click Release Notes.
What is the difference between a Hosted virtualization solution and a Hypervisor?
Each product's detailed feature set can be reviewed by choosing the product from the Product Index.
These are the differences:
VMware Hosted virtualization products run as an application within the host's operating system, allowing multiple operating systems to be run at the same time. VMware "Hosted" virtualization products include the free VMware Player, the more advanced VMware Workstation, or for the Apple Mac, VMware Fusion. Hosted virtualization products are typically, but not exclusively, used by IT professionals, Software Developers and Testers, and Technical Sales and Training professionals.
VMware Hypervisor virtualization products do not require a host operating system. They run multiple operating systems on the "bare metal" of the host server, allowing enterprise class performance with minimal overhead. You can easily run enterprise applications, and consolidate a much larger number of virtual machines onto each host, reducing hardware costs and energy costs. VMware Hypervisor virtualization products include VMware ESXi and VMware ESX.
