14 DAY TRIAL // In a recent blog entry virtualization expert VMware says there’s an upcoming software update to VMware Fusion which fixes a “mistake” that allows the software to install client versions of OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard in a virtual machine.
VMware explains:
VMware Fusion 4.1 was released late last week and includes many great improvements. One change was the introduction of a new license verification step for users to verify they are in compliance with the OS licensing terms.
When the license verification step was added in VMWare Fusion 4.1 the server edition check was omitted. We are preparing an update.
Running Mac OS X client in a virtual machine continues to require Lion (purchased from the Mac App Store or a USB thumb drive.) Users should always ensure they remain in compliance with any applicable software license agreements.
Apple is known to allow only properly licensed copies of Mac OS X Lion, Snow Leopard Server and Leopard Server to be virtualized, and only on Apple-branded hardware.
VMware has not provided a specific date for the release of their patch, though it should’t be too far off given they only have to add a few lines of code that tell the program to ‘sense’ a server copy of OS X when the user attempts an installation.
VMware Fusion 4.1 was an important update for existing customers, as it brought a number of key features, like native Lion full screen mode (the number one feature request).
The standard Lion full screen button is now used in the windows of virtual machines and, just like other full screen Lion apps, VMware Fusion will move a virtual machine to a new full screen space when using a single display.
The update also brings back automatically powering-on favorite virtual machines, greatly improved graphics, better handling of OS X Lion as a guest, and more.