virtualization for windows 7

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  1. Posts : 9
    window 7
       #11

    install vmware and install linux in that virtual environment
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  2. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #12

    Your plan is spot on. Either virtualbox or vmware player will work just fine. I prefer VMware Player, but have used virtualbox before without issue.
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  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       #13

    I thought it might be useful to share what I've heard so far re: an application which will run under Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, and support Linux VMs. The rough consensus seems to be:
    If you don't mind paying $170 (newegg price), use VMware Workstation. This is probably a pretty good solution for me, since I need to learn virtualization, and VMware is the leader.

    If you don't want the cost of running VMware Workstation, run VMware Player or Oracle VirtualBox.
    If you go with VMware Player, load the optional VMware Tools for Linux.

    If you go with Oracle (originally Sun Microsystems) VirtualBox, use the free, but not open-source version with good USB support.
    CoLinux works, but not many people use it.

    Nobody said anything about Parallels Desktop for Windows & Linux. I emailed the company and found out 6.0 is in "short, private beta". You can probably get in on the beta test if you're interested. The guy at Parallels also said I'm looking for a "Type 2 hypervisor", which is an application that runs under a host OS, and supports VMs.

    Windows Virtual PC does not support Linux well. I tried to use it, and it consistently dies without any error message when I try to load an Ubuntu 10.10 Desktop 32-bit CD. Supposedly it can be loaded if you run a text-based installer and change the graphics options, but life is too short.
    There are other options, such as VMware Server, dual-booting, or booting from live media (CD or USB stick). I didn't list them because they didn't seem to meet my goal of a Type 2 hypervisor which will run under Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (i.e. my work laptop) and support Linux VMs.

    Thank you,
    Jerry J. Anderson
    CCIE R&S #5000
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  4. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #14

    Jerry,

    If you want to learn virtualization, i strongly suggest that you not spend money on VMWare workstation, but instead use VMWare Vsphere ESXi (Free Hypervisor). ESXi is a Type 1 hypervisor (bare metal) and it's what enterprise organizations use. You get 60 days in eval mode when you first install ESXi and that gives you all features. If you want to play longer than 60 days, simply reinstall the product.

    To come up to speed quickly with vSphere, I would suggest the following book
    http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-VMwa...3369164&sr=8-1
    These Scott Lowe books are very solid and even though I am proficient and have used vmware for years, I'm in the process of reading that book myself and have picked up several new things that I wasn't knowledgeable before.

    BTW, congrats on the CCIE. It's an impressive accomplishment.
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  5. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #15

    I completely agree with Pparks above. Start with free virtualization platforms, or if willing to spend some money, test the Vsphere ESXi.

    Pparks and me have been quite a many times in a same thread, he recommending WMvare Player and me VirtualBox. Both are excellent free alternatives, both are fully capable to do what you want to achieve, to run Linux on a virtual machine. Both are easy to install, easy to setup a guest system. I use both, can not decide which one is better; I just prefer to use VirtualBox for Linux guests, and VMware Player for pre-XP Windows guests.

    Interesting enough, testing the new Windows 8 Milestone 1, it did not work on Virtual PC or VirtualBox, but had absolutely no problems in running on VMware Player, showing once again that different virtualization apps behave differently.

    virtualization for windows 7-windows-8-vmware-player.png

    I can not see any reasons why you should pay for a virtualization solution at this point. Go for VMware Player or VirtualBox.

    Kari
    Last edited by Kari; 21 Apr 2011 at 10:37. Reason: Incredible amount of typos ;)
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  6. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       #16

    Type 1 vs. Type 2


    Pparks1/Kari,

    Thank you both for the help.

    I think I need to stick with a Type 2 hypervisor for now. What I'm trying to do is run Win7Pro64 and Linux concurrently on my work laptop, without losing IT support. Support is the tricky part. If I go with a Type 1 hypervisor like VMware vSphere ESXi it will probably work wonderfully, but when the day comes that I need internal IT support, it might not be provided for a non-standard build.

    It might be a very good idea to load ESXi on my personal laptop, but I think I'll wait until I get some VM experience on my work laptop.

    Also, thank you for the reference to "Mastering VMware vSphere 4" - I'll pick it up.

    Thank you,
    Jerry J. Anderson
    CCIE R&S #5000
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #17

    Yeah, you don't want to try running a type 1 hypervisor on a work laptop or desktop. And if you decide to play around with ESXi, look for the ESXi whitebox websites...these will show you which motherboards, sata chipsets and NIC's work with this product. It's a bit particular about hardware. Nothing that a genuine server wouldn't have....but many times a desktop might not have. For example, unless you go with an Intel mobo, it's rare that the onboard NIC would work. But the easy fix, is to slap in 10/100/1000 Intel GT NIC. They are about $30 and work great.
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