Virtual Machine Whole Network Access

[JamesAS]

Hi

I am currently working on a network with a high level of security, they have asked me to install Visual Basic on the school computers, I told them that to debug / run any applications made by students they would have to change security to run *.EXE files.

This was not possible so the only solution I could come up with was a virtual machine. I have heard of success stories before but I don't know what I am doing right now. How can I have a virtual machine that can be accessed by several different network users at once. I have a spare copy of Windows 7 lying around and a spare computer connected to the network

What should I do now?

Thanks

- JamesAS

 

[andrew129260]

VM=virtual machine

Problems with your Idea:

1.) Licensing problems with windows 7. That would be illegal. You would need a license for each vm.
2.) You would not be able to share a individual vm on a pc laying around, because multiple users could not sign into it at once. Unless it was a server, but this would require a great deal of licensing costs.
Unless it was on/copied to each individual machine that the person wants to use a vm on. Which would take a while to deploy. But would be doable.
3.) Are the machines running windows 7 professional? If so great news! A full copy of xp pro is included with windows 7 professional. Simply download and install xp mode on the machines. See here:

Windows XP Mode - Microsoft Windows

Install and use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8247-windows-xp-mode-install-setup.html

Keep in mind, you can have admin accounts and limited accounts in xp mode as well.
This way even in the vm they would not have full complete access should you decide.
If you want them to have full admin rights, then they are the admin of that vm. But they would not be able to affect the core system its running on.

Keep in mind too, that any firewalls or filters will still work in a VM. They use the same connection.

Xp mode is a full complete windows xp version. Nothing held back. This also means that it will stop getting security updates/ windows patches on that april 2014 deadline. Importantly though, with it running in a VM, this means there is significant less risk from threats. And since the vm is running on a host limited user account to begin with, this further reduces the risk. Still possible, but highly unlikely.

 

[JamesAS]

Thank You for the response. I will try it out

 

[andrew129260]

No problem, please keep us posted.

Let us know if you need any more help