Sharepoint Server 2010 as a VM Anyone

jimbo45 · 27 May 2011

Hi all

I've been interested in testing out Sharepoint server 2010 as a VM. It appears to make a good testing platform for Office / Web services etc etc.

Anyone tested this / tried it -- performance wise with say 5 or 6 workstations attached.

I'm thinking If it's possible of running one of these as a VM on ESXi --

It really is time to start thinking about upgrading my W2K3 server which is STILL running flawlessly however the OS is getting as people say "a bit long in the tooth".

I'm also looking at the 2011 MULTIPOINT server too which is built on W2K8 technology so should be fine but might be overkill for what I want to do.

I can download these for testing via Technet / MSDN so getting access to the software (LEGALLY) is not a problem.

Also my Physical server now has 32 GB Memory in it

I'd Buy more RAM NOW especially for running VM's --it unlike nearly everything else is almost "Hideously Cheap" at the moment. Probably not for too much longer since prices are on the rise again with China etc beginning to make insatiable demands on the Market (Thank Goodness !!! keeps the economy rolling through a tight patch).

So ideas anyone on 2010 sharepoint server / 2011 Multipoint server .

Thanks

Cheers
jimbo

mckillwashere · 27 May 2011

Last I knew the sharepoint serve 2010r was just an application that ran on top of server 2008+/-R2. I know that 2008 as well as 2008R2 have issues running on 2 GB of ram and I would suggest at least 4-6 GB for sharpoint server. On a little bit of a side note. I corrupted my AD on my test network when I tried to play with it at release. Im sure they have fixed any install bugs of have a more in depth guide now so you dont have to try to solve issues by yourself.

jimbo45 · 27 May 2011

Hi there
What I want to do is use this as a "Portal" or Internet server plus access to Office type apps for a small network that is acessible from both an internal LAN and from the outside.

All Internet access would be controlled by this too -- this way local users would be able to share docs/presentations etc easily and Internet access could be controlled fairly easily such as blocking facebook etc except for certain periods during the day say at 11.30 - 14.00 and after 17.00 for example.

Cheers
jimbo

mckillwashere · 27 May 2011

Now im wishing I would have played with it more. The website blocking is something that I needed around the time I was trying to install it. I had a "Web Abbusive" user on my network, that didnt like playing by the rules.

MikeS104 · 30 May 2011

Yes, you should be able to run and test SharePoint 2010. As "mckillwashere" pointed out, it runs on top of a Windows Server 2008 64bit or Server 2008 R2 (R2 is only 64 bit). You will need to either install the SQL Express on the same virtual server or run another virtual with a server OS and SQL Server. I use the the two server config at work (HyperV) and home (VMWare Workstation on a quad core PC with Win7; VMWare VSphere didn't run very well on it). Don't really have a lot of time to devote to the use at home.