VMware released VMware Fusion 2.0.2, a maintenance update to the virtualization software for Mac OS X. The update adds a few feature improvements and fixes various bugs with running Windows on a Mac, and with running Mac OS X Server as a guest operating system. The version now supports running on Mac OS X 10.5.6, according to VMware, and improves support for Mac OS X Server in virtual machines. The update does not fix an incompatibility with CheckPoint SecureClient for Mac, however.

The update fixes a problem with running Windows Vista virtual machine in which USB devices failed to autoconnect after a restart. VMware Fusion 2.0.2 also fixes performance issues when browsing mirrored folders and shared folders in Windows virtual machines. It fixes an glitch with ThinPrint software, and fixes ThinPrint software causes reinstall or reconfiguration issues with third-party applications such as Adobe Acrobat.

VMware Fusion 2.0.2 also fixes several issues running Mac OS X Server in a virtual machine. It fixes a problem that prevented Mac OS X Server 10.5.5 and earlier from being installed in a virtual machine on the Fall 2008 MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air. The update also fixes a bug with Mac OS X Server 10.5.6 running in a virtual machine on any Mac, in which only a gray screen was displayed.

VMware Fusion 2.0.2 now supports Ubuntu 8.10 as a guest operating system, including VMware integration features such as VMware Tools with prebuilt kernel modules, Easy Install, and Unity.

The update now supports mounting the unencrypted ..DMG file format as a CD/DVD disk image. Prior to this update, only the .ISO file format. (DMG is commonly used with Mac OS X, while ISO is more commonly used with Windows.) This works in any guest operating system.

Another improved feature is the ability to import Windows virtual machines from both Parallels Desktop 4.0 and Parallels Server for Mac. However, VMware also acknowledges some glitches with importing Parallels Desktop 4.0 virtual machines, and offers some workarounds at its web site.

The new version also retains a serious incompatibility with CheckPoint SecureClient for Mac. VMware said that with Fusion 2.x and CheckPoint installed, the Mac may stop responding while starting up or shutting down. If that occurs, VMware recommends starting in Safe Mode and uninstalling either Fusion or CheckPoint. (This is different problem from the issue of the CheckPoint Windows client not running in a virtual machine.)

VMware also just released VMware Converter 4.0, which migrates physical Windows and Linux installations to virtual machines.

If you've tried VMware Fusion 2.0.2

Related links at MacWindows:

VMware Fusion Tips and Reports
VMware Fusion 2.0 First Look
VMware previews future Fusion build with OS X Server virtualization