Reading Time: 4 minutes Historically speaking, the VMware management tools were mostly based on Microsoft Windows systems. The biggest example was the vCenter Server that has start as a Windows installable software. Other products like Horizon View, vRealized Automation, Chargeback Manager, SRM, … were also based on Windows with some installable components. But rely on a general purpose OS makes more complicated the management (for example for patching) and makes longer the deployment time. A virtual appliance could bring more benefit in a virtual environment (see Virtual Appliance: angels o demons?) and simplify both the management and the deployment. […]