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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesInfoWorld’s September 1, 2010 roundup named eight free virtual appliances for VMware, spanning storage, monitoring, security, publishing, and computer imaging. They are useful as a historical shortlist—not as verified recommendations for current deployments: the article does not establish whether these appliances can still be downloaded, maintained, or used safely with today’s VMware products.
What a virtual appliance does
A virtual appliance is a preconfigured virtual machine that packages an application with its operating system and related software. Instead of installing and connecting each component yourself, you deploy an image that is intended to be ready for a particular job. InfoWorld presented this approach as a way to simplify setup and consolidate services without dedicated appliance hardware; those were proposed benefits, not measured results. InfoWorld’s 2010 roundup is the source for the eight entries below.
The eight appliances in the 2010 roundup
Openfiler: network and storage-area network storage
Openfiler was described as a storage appliance for VMware and Xen environments. The reported feature set included RAID, monitoring and alerts, snapshots and recovery, clustering, multipath I/O, and block replication. InfoWorld noted that configuration could be complex and that the appliance offered a browser-based console. Its reported filesystem capacity and VMware ESXi capabilities are historical claims, not current specifications.
Opsview Community Edition 3.8: network and application monitoring
This free, open-source appliance was described as running in VMware Player and building on Nagios. Its listed functions included alerting, SNMPv3, MRTG, flap detection, and monitoring for virtual servers and network hardware. The roundup also said it could be converted for VMware ESX or ESXi using vCenter Converter. The version and compatibility statements date to 2010.
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Cacti: network monitoring and performance graphs
Cacti collects measurements from SNMP-capable devices and graphs selected data, such as disk space, system load, memory, and network-interface traffic. The roundup pointed out that a manual installation involved dependencies including MySQL and PHP; a preconfigured virtual appliance could avoid that setup. Any JumpBox pricing or trial terms mentioned in that article are 2010-era information, not current offers.
m0n0wall: network firewall
The article described m0n0wall as a compact firewall appliance with packet filtering, NAT/PAT, DHCP, VPN, SNMP, and IPsec functions, managed through a browser interface. Its reported footprint and suitability claims reflect the roundup’s 2010 context; they are not evidence that it is maintained, secure, or appropriate to deploy now.
AS Communication Gateway: email filtering
This email gateway was presented as a way to screen messages for spam, phishing, worms, and other malware before delivery to a mail server. InfoWorld also described quarantine and antivirus features. Its reported spam-blocking rate and paid antivirus-engine integration were claims in the 2010 article and should not be treated as independently verified or current performance and pricing information.
WebGUI: content management
WebGUI was described as a GPL-licensed web application framework and content management system. The roundup listed publishing, forums, galleries, surveys, calendars, forms, and intranet or commerce uses. The article’s description of its VMware appliance and capabilities is historical.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →WordPress through BitNami: web publishing
The roundup described a preconfigured VMware image that combined WordPress with a minimal Linux system, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. Its appeal was convenience for setting up a website or intranet without manually assembling that stack. The article does not establish that this specific BitNami appliance distribution remains available.
FOG: computer imaging and cloning
FOG was presented as a Linux-based imaging server using PXE/TFTP and a web interface, with tools for capturing and deploying computer images. InfoWorld said a VMware ESX/ESXi virtual machine was available and framed it as useful for operating-system migration or computer refresh. Those availability and platform details are from 2010.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you still download and use these appliances?
The 2010 roundup does not establish present-day download availability, maintenance, security updates, licensing, support, or compatibility with current VMware releases for any of the eight projects. Treat its product descriptions and version details as a record of what InfoWorld covered at the time, not as deployment instructions or a current security endorsement. Before using any surviving image, verify its source and integrity, licensing, update history, supported VM format and hypervisor, and whether it is suitable for the workload. If a project’s status or image provenance cannot be confirmed, do not put it into production.
Quick Recap
How to use this list as a starting point
- Match the function: the entries cover storage, monitoring and graphs, firewalling, email filtering, content management, web publishing, and imaging.
- Check current support: look for recent releases and security updates from the project or vendor, rather than relying on the roundup’s 2010 claims.
- Confirm deployment fit: verify supported VMware products, image formats, required resources, and integration with the systems you intend to monitor or serve.
- Review licensing and operations: establish current license and support terms, and plan how the appliance will be updated, backed up, and recovered.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
