Overview
vOptimizer is an advanced optimization solution that quickly and easily reduces a virtual machines virtual hard drive to the smallest size possible while optimizing Windows guest operating systems for speed and performance. vOptimizer 4.0 offers many new functions for enterprise level customers while improving the interface and ease of operation for smaller, desktop oriented users. vOptimizer Desktop Edition enables unlimited optimizations of local VMs while Network Edition enables unlimited optimizations of VMs located anywhere across the network as well as scheduled optimizations.  vOptimizer FreeWare is essentially Desktop Edition with a number of features disabled and additional popup messages. See matrix below.

vOptimizer Version Features Matrix

Feature / Version	Freeware	Desktop	Network
Comprehensive VM optimization with associated size/performance gains
New UI and 10x faster optimizations
Optimize local VMs with no need for VMs to be running
Optimize local Repositories of VMs
Email Notification of completed optimization jobs
Statistical Reporting on each and/or all optimizations
Optimize VMs located anywhere across network
Optimize repositories of VMs located anywhere across network
Job Scheduler to automate optimizations in batch mode
Popup messages on startup removed	No	Yes	Yes
# of optimizations per license	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Email and Phone Support	not available	available	available
One license per user/workstation	see terms

VM Optimization solution for the following operating systems:
Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional, Windows Small Business Server, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista

Support for the following virtualization platforms:
All versions of VMware Workstation, VMware ACE, VMware GSX Server, VMware Server
Microsoft Virtual PC 2004, Virtual PC 2007, Virtual Server, Virtual Server 2005, Virtual Server 2005 R2 and all service pack levels

vOptimizer FreeWare Licensing Restrictions
The Freeware version may be used for a maximum of two (2) users within Licensee's organization. For more than two (2) users within an organization licenses must be obtained. Visit http://store.vizioncore.com or email sales@vizioncore.com. This license does not entitle Licensee to receive hard-copy documentation, technical support, telephone assistance, or enhancements or updates to the Product from Vizioncore.

FAQs for vOptimizer

Q: Which Operating Systems can I install vOptimizer on?
A: vOptimizer may be installed on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2003.

Q: Which VMs will vOptimizer optimize?
A: vOptimizer will optimize the following VMs: Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Business.

Q: Which virtualization platforms are vOptimizer compatible with?
A: vOptimizer is compatible with all platforms except ESX.  A separate optimization product for ESX will be available in late 2007.

Q: Does vOptimizer require administrative credentials?
A: Yes.

Q: What is the difference between the Desktop and Network Edition?
A: The Desktop Edition is for customers that have their VMs installed on their local machines. When using the Desktop Edition the Job and Schedule windows have been disabled, meaning you cannot schedule optimizations or create optimization jobs. The Network Edition is for customers that have the need to schedule optimizations or the need to optimize VMs that are not on their local machines. For a complete list of differences please see the vOptimizer Feature Matrix.

Q: Can I add repositories to my Projects?
A: Yes, but ONLY if you have purchased a license for the Network Edition.

Q: Can I schedule Jobs to run?
A: Yes, but ONLY if you have purchased a license for the Network Edition.

Q: Can I optimize VMs that have snapshots?
A: No.

Q: Can I optimize VMs that have undo disks enabled?
A: No.

Q: I receive the Mounting failed because virtual disks are busy error. What is wrong?
A: It is likely your VM is on. Verify that your VM is powered down and retry your optimization.

Q: I receive the Virtual disk specified in your configuration could not found error. What is wrong?
A: It is likely your .vmx/.vmc is pointing to a path where your .vmdk/.vhd for whatever reason no longer resides. To resolve:

• Open your virtualization platform and start the VM.
• After the VM reaches the login screen, power down your VM and make note of the path of the .vmdk/.vhd.
• Open your .vmx/.vmc and make note of the path referenced for the .vmdk/.vhd file.
• Make appropriate changes.

Q: Can I optimize VMs that are located anywhere within the network?
A: Yes, but ONLY if you have purchased a license for the Network Edition. This also assumes you have the proper administrative credentials to access VMs across your network.

Q: I see the computers that are on my network, but I do not see the repositories or VMs on these computers.
A: It is likely that you have not: a) mapped a network drive or b) shared your VMs to be accessed on your network. In this case you will need to navigate to the repository or VM via the Windows Explorer Address Bar and then drag and Drop the folder/file onto the project.

Q: What value is there in optimizing VMs?
A: Consider any independent software vendor, as an example. Virtual machines have grown to become indispensable tools for demonstrating live software and for building proof of concept solutions. A single virtual machine, for example, can be configured and 'released' to a field sales force with a bundle of accompanying tools that teach how to demonstrate and/or build a solution. A virtual machine can make its way to thousands of people much easier than a physical system because the virtual machine is a self-contained "file." There are obvious benefits in leveraging virtual machine platform technologies in this context such as scaling up marketing, sales and revenue. Also, knowledge transfer and reduction of the sales cycle are benefits, among others.

These benefits come at a cost. Virtual machine distribution can be expensive. The primary reason is that a virtual machine can grow to be very large and when it comes time to distribute, share or archive a virtual machine, either on CD, DVD, download or other means it is not uncommon to have a 10 gigabyte "file" to send around or provide for others to download/copy. If you could take that 10 gigabyte file and easily turn it into a 2 gigabyte file, would that create value How about having a finished "product" (a virtual machine all zipped up and on the network ready to share) that could fit onto a CD Would that be valuable.

vOptimizer used in this contextual scenario significantly reduces distribution costs, significantly reduces the time you spend to download/copy/share VMs among others and, in general, contributes to the overall benefit in using virtual machine platform technology.

Q: Who would want smaller and faster VMs?
A: Virtual machines create a new paradigm in computing that obfuscate the complexities of the underlying hardware architecture and make the computing platform more dynamic. This new paradigm makes conducting business via technology easier than ever. As a result, corporations are embracing virtual machine platform technologies in large numbers. However, for virtual machines that must be moved around either via CD/DVD, sneakernet or Ethernet there are obvious challenges. Consider two quick analogies.

Scenario 1:
Before MP3 became the file format for music, people who 'ripped' their CDs did so in the WAV file format. Using WAV, a typical 4 minute song would rip to ~50 megabytes. Now, the same song in MP3 format rips to ~4 megabytes. Having this file size reduction and maintaining fidelity in the audio creates enormous value and enabled new breakthrough scenarios that turned the world upside down. The ~10x reduction in file size led to a shake-up in the music industry, created enormous interest in computers among the world's youth, enabled things like Napster, Kazaa and the iPod among other significant change.

We believe that file size reduction in virtual machines would also fuel new breakthrough scenarios among users of virtual machines.

Scenario 2:
Before email became ubiquitous, people sent documents back and forth via facsimile and courier. As a result, personal and business communication transacted very slowly. Now, with a few clicks of a mouse you can send a rich, multi-page document to anyone in seconds and receive a reply just as quickly. Economies changed when email became reliable, secure and mainstream.

We believe that new computing scenarios will occur when people are able to easily share virtual machines.

Q: How does vOptimizer differ from using "shrink" in VMware?
A: VM optimization and shrinking a vmdk file are not the same thing. Shrink does not optimize a guest OS and does not begin to match the level of "shrinking" that you get with vOptimizer. vOptimizer performs hundreds of processes before the shrinking process which we guarantee will give you a vmdk file that is much smaller than a vmdk file that you would just "shrink".

Proceed to Online Store to purchase a commercial license