Windows 7: VMware Player? VMware Server?

I did a search on the various VMware threads but I have to admit got a little confused after a while. I have installed WVPC and XPM and have some apps set up in XPM. But I am a little disappointed with the speed, or lack of, of the virtual environment. I've seen a number of posts which suggest that VMware provides a virtual environment that is a bit snappier, so I figured I'd give it a try.

Do I use VMware Server or Player? I got the impression Server was more along the lines of WVPC; is that correct? I downloaded the Player, but then found another program there called VMware-vix-1.8.0-203739. I'm not sure what that is. If it's an either/or for Server/Player, what does one get you that the other doesn't?

Since I already have XPM installed and set up, did I understand correctly that if I install Player it will "absorb" the existing XPM and virtual license so that I don't have to do anything after installing Player? Do I need to use the vCenter Converter if I install Player?

As far as i am aware MS only offer two free VMs for use with their VPCs, XP that come with XPM and Server 2003 VM. For WMware products, no such free VMs (not to my awareness i do not believe). You will need to make one up, either via the VMware Stand alone Converter or other VHD creator which are compatible with VMware.

Is this the same as the VMware vCenter Converter which I mentioned? If so, what's the correct order of action? Do I run the Converter first on my existing XPM image, then install Player (or Server)? Or is it the other way around?

I'm not sure I have to use the Converter. This is from another thread -

The Converter is used to convert your "Physical" HD to a "Virtual" HD (VHD). After you convert, you create your new VM via WMware product you installed, and use this VHD to boot from. It's all self explainatory once you create the new VM. I only have used the Server.

The VMWare converter can convert physical machines into VM's and it can convert virtual machines from one format to another. This is optional and some people may never use it.

The VMWare Player 3.0 and the new VMWare Workstation have an option built-in to auto convert the base Windows XP Mode VM into a vmware based virtual machine. The key here is that it converts the "base Windows XP Mode VM"...meaning that if you already set up Windows XP Mode and then customized it and installed apps onto it...it's not this VM that you would be converting. Rather you would be converting the base starting point with nothing loaded. Thus, after conversion you would have to reinstall your apps and make your customizations. The beauty of using the VMWare product to convert the XP image is that it does it and preserves the activation. If on the other hand, you used the VMWare converter, the XP Mode virtual machine would see a major hardware change and would thus prompt for activation.

VMWare Server is more for IT people who need to setup a box and leave virtual machines running even when they aren't logged into the machine. The VMWare Player 3.0 is for home users and people who just want to run VM's on their desktops when they are using the machine. A home user could use both or either of these products.

If the VMWare Player 3.0 product (free) doesn't have all of the functionality you want, you can invest in the VMWare Workstation Product...which is $189...but does offer more functionality.

Thanks. Can VMWare Player instantiate multiple virtual sessions, or only one? And what does VMware-vix-1.8.0-203739 do?

VMWare Player 3.0 can indeed launch multiple concurrent virtual guest machines.

With regards to VIX, it's something that I don't use, but here is what I found on Google
VMware: VIX API Blog: What is VIX and why does it matter?