Vmware Virtual Server AND workstation together

[jimbo45]

Hi all
Anybody managed to get Vmware's Virtual server AND vmware workstation to co-exist on the same machine.

Installing Virtual server requires vmware workstation to be uninstalled -- you can keep the serial nr in the registry to re-install it if you want to.

I don't actually want to run vmware server and vmware workstation at the same time bit it would be nice to have the possibility to run either.

(Actually I'm very impressed with vmware server R2 it runs the VM's much better than workstation with FAR LESS overhead and can start these as services. However for fiddling around with "virtual hardware etc vmware workstation is a better tool).

Currently I have to run each from different machines (or use the "dreaded dual boot").

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Lee]

If you have VM Ware Workstation already setup you could use VM Ware player to run the virtual machines. I removed the server so I could run Workstation to setup VMs to run with the player. The player should be part of the installation of VM Ware's Workstation. If I remember (if you don't have player) VM Player is a free program.

But, like you, I have yet to get VM Ware Server, and Workstation to coincide. And, like you dual boot is out of the question; why do you need it if you are using a Virtual Machine.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi Lee

The "Dual" boot is only necessary for the HOST if I need to use vmware workstation instead of vmware server for a particular application -- however its actually easier to use another machine (say a laptop) to use vmware workstation to experiment with the virtual hardware.

vmware server V2 is actually VERY efficient - and I like the fact that vm's run as a BACKGROUND process.

Unlike vmware workstation vm's can be started as a system service when the host boots. you don't have to log on and manage everything from a Local session.

I'm in the process of "Canning" my current W7 system -- don't Panic -- I'm installing the vmware server on a tiny Linux installation and "replicating" my main W7 machine to run as a VM under the server.

For Home server running vm ESXi is a bit over the top and its VERY fussy over things like NIC's and disk hardware. Vmware server W2 seems just perfect currently and performance of the vm's (provided you've got enough RAM) is almost as good as Native.

I'm not a gamer and if I need any special Video apps these run fine on my SUSE server. Audio runs fine on the VM's including streaming.

A future release of vmware should have some sort of DIRECT X support etc so who knows - real video apps on a VM.


A drawback of vmware server is that you can't automatically "clone" a vm -- acronis backup / restore the directory works fine in any case for this process.

Other issues are you can't take multiple snapshots or use "teams" - but since these are features I don't use I'm not bothered.

For people who don't need to pay 200 USD for vmware workstation the server works a treat once you understand how to set it all up.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Lee]

Some useful info in there for me, have to cut and paste what you put out there. I am also looking for way to improve my knowledge of VM Ware. The $200.00 has been a good investment thus far. With the improved NAT for bridging with the host has made a great difference for me.

One of the main reasons for using Workstation and Player is I have a music collection that spans five decades. The total amount of music is mind blowing (over ten-thousand records and tapes - what can I say I love music)). One of the problems faced in recording this was an application that could be used in Win 7 without having to spend more money. Back in 2001 when I started working on the collection I bought Cool Edit Pro, which works fine in 32 bit, however, all my system are 64 bit. Hence, VM Ware Workstation. Cool Edit works great in XP.

But, I also like playing around with the different Linux distro, so Workstation has been an excellent addition to my system. When I go to a new Windows Os I can save the Workstation (XP, 2000, Ubuntu, etc.) then run them in VM Player under the new Windows System.

And, like you I use it to test new software prior to installing on main OS (Win 7)

In fact most of my day today was in Opensuse 11.2 trying to get wine to work. I really do hate that program. Just can get it to work the way I want.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Funny thing about SUSE 11.2 -- I'm just messing about with it too on a decent 4GB RAM laptop.


Only one problem (isn't there always ONE niggle with any Linux Distro) - it doesn't recognize ONE of my USB printers -- not to worry because ALL the the VM's do.

The other stupid problem (its still a milestone --even pre RC so I expect a couple of niggles) is that console works fine - but if I start the X server (KDE desktop) the stupid keyboard switches to US instead of UK (currently using a UK laptop). It's not too big a deal however and can be fixed in the KDE Regional options on Configure Desktop).

The vmware server really works well on this but I would advise you to followq this link if you get compile errors or cant install via RPM.

Install VMware server 2 in Suse / openSUSE 11 & USB support

BTW the laptop runs 3 VM's qite nicely -- Two XP systems and one W7.

When I ran this on a WINDOWS HOST I could only get 2 VMs to run and then slowly at that. (One VM by itself ran fine however).

VMWARE workstation is a great tool but if you don't need all the features and can set vmware server up its well worth saving the 200 USD and using the money to buy more RAM / more disks etc. (Or even more Beer ).

W7 X-64 ultimate runs just fine as a VM apart from the fact that the VM video driver doesn't support Aero -- but whose bothered - The SUSE system has all the effects you could possibly want even stupid stuff like wobbly windows, cubes etc etc.

Hint -- Only give the W7 VM a SINGLE processor and 2GB RAM is fine in a VM. Also use IDE not SCSI for the disk subsystem in a VM.

You can't compare performance requirements in a REAL with a Virtual machine.

I'd forget WINE now -- it was fine in the older days when hardware was more restricted -- using a vm is the way to go if you need to run these apps.

(BTW SUSE 11.2 Milestone 8 - add your user to the SOUND / Multi-media group or you wont get sound unless you are ROOT).


Cheers
jimbo

 

[Lee]

(BTW SUSE 11.2 Milestone 8 - add your user to the SOUND / Multi-media group or you wont get sound unless you are ROOT).

Thanks for this, had numerous problems with the sound (Realtek HD sound system). Now it is working great.

Agree, you get better performance when the OS is install outside a VM. Been using SUSE since version 9.0. Use the Grub loader to establish a dual boot system.

What is the difference of giving one processor instead of two in a VM? Have been using the two processor for about a year now. And, do agree with the IDE over the SCSI.

It is funny when I think about it, but have never tested VM Ware in SUSE. Will have to play with it this weekend. Dumb attack.