VMWare ESX server and dual booting
-
!!This is a (mosly) theoretical topic!! So, I've lately done something to my Vista install that makes it BSOD at random intervals. I've lost a fair amount of work because of that, but that's a different issue. I've also been planning (well, more like just thinking of) moving to Vista x64 (I mean, I _am_ running on a x64 capable processor, so why not? I've checked, and all the programs/drivers I use do exist in x64 versions, so... I should be fine). Now, just right now, I had a thought (yeah, I know, they're rare; but they happen :D ). I may need to have the ability to dual boot into Vista and XP (actually, I WILL need the ability to do that). However, it kinda dawns on me that I will have to close all my work, reboot, bla bla bla. Theoretically (that is, as far as I understand), VMWare's ESX server runs as a 'mini-OS', on top of which all the other 'machines' run. I dont know the price, but it is most likely out of the question to get the ESX server for 'home' usage. Which is why all this is theoretical. Back to what I am trying to say. So, if VMWare ESX server is installed on a machine, then it is possible to make a Vista machine on it, and an XP machine. And then simply switch between them as I would with VMWare Workstation, for example. Except with a much lower memory footprint, etc. Has anyone ever tried this? Anyone has their company running anything on VMWare's ESX server? Your thoughts on my theory? Do you think (know?) I will loose all the graphics power that a video card provides (ie, it would, too, be emulated, like everything else)? /me re-reads the whole thing. Hope that made sense. I'm off to sleep...ahh, the joy of going to sleep 2 hours before waking up....
:badger:
-
!!This is a (mosly) theoretical topic!! So, I've lately done something to my Vista install that makes it BSOD at random intervals. I've lost a fair amount of work because of that, but that's a different issue. I've also been planning (well, more like just thinking of) moving to Vista x64 (I mean, I _am_ running on a x64 capable processor, so why not? I've checked, and all the programs/drivers I use do exist in x64 versions, so... I should be fine). Now, just right now, I had a thought (yeah, I know, they're rare; but they happen :D ). I may need to have the ability to dual boot into Vista and XP (actually, I WILL need the ability to do that). However, it kinda dawns on me that I will have to close all my work, reboot, bla bla bla. Theoretically (that is, as far as I understand), VMWare's ESX server runs as a 'mini-OS', on top of which all the other 'machines' run. I dont know the price, but it is most likely out of the question to get the ESX server for 'home' usage. Which is why all this is theoretical. Back to what I am trying to say. So, if VMWare ESX server is installed on a machine, then it is possible to make a Vista machine on it, and an XP machine. And then simply switch between them as I would with VMWare Workstation, for example. Except with a much lower memory footprint, etc. Has anyone ever tried this? Anyone has their company running anything on VMWare's ESX server? Your thoughts on my theory? Do you think (know?) I will loose all the graphics power that a video card provides (ie, it would, too, be emulated, like everything else)? /me re-reads the whole thing. Hope that made sense. I'm off to sleep...ahh, the joy of going to sleep 2 hours before waking up....
:badger:
You are looking for VMWare Server, which is free, and should be able to run a 32bit XP client on a 64bit Vista host.
xacc.ide
IronScheme a R5RS/R6RS-compliant Scheme on the DLR
The rule of three: "The first time you notice something that might repeat, don't generalize it. The second time the situation occurs, develop in a similar fashion -- possibly even copy/paste -- but don't generalize yet. On the third time, look to generalize the approach." -
You are looking for VMWare Server, which is free, and should be able to run a 32bit XP client on a 64bit Vista host.
xacc.ide
IronScheme a R5RS/R6RS-compliant Scheme on the DLR
The rule of three: "The first time you notice something that might repeat, don't generalize it. The second time the situation occurs, develop in a similar fashion -- possibly even copy/paste -- but don't generalize yet. On the third time, look to generalize the approach."As I said, that was purely theoretical. I am using VMWare workstation right now, for running machines for testing, etc. But as far as I understand VMWare Server is mostly the same. ESX server, as far as I understood, was a much lower level product, which allows a kind of 'dual booting' but at the same time. But as I said, I am not looking for a product, just posting my theory.
:badger:
-
!!This is a (mosly) theoretical topic!! So, I've lately done something to my Vista install that makes it BSOD at random intervals. I've lost a fair amount of work because of that, but that's a different issue. I've also been planning (well, more like just thinking of) moving to Vista x64 (I mean, I _am_ running on a x64 capable processor, so why not? I've checked, and all the programs/drivers I use do exist in x64 versions, so... I should be fine). Now, just right now, I had a thought (yeah, I know, they're rare; but they happen :D ). I may need to have the ability to dual boot into Vista and XP (actually, I WILL need the ability to do that). However, it kinda dawns on me that I will have to close all my work, reboot, bla bla bla. Theoretically (that is, as far as I understand), VMWare's ESX server runs as a 'mini-OS', on top of which all the other 'machines' run. I dont know the price, but it is most likely out of the question to get the ESX server for 'home' usage. Which is why all this is theoretical. Back to what I am trying to say. So, if VMWare ESX server is installed on a machine, then it is possible to make a Vista machine on it, and an XP machine. And then simply switch between them as I would with VMWare Workstation, for example. Except with a much lower memory footprint, etc. Has anyone ever tried this? Anyone has their company running anything on VMWare's ESX server? Your thoughts on my theory? Do you think (know?) I will loose all the graphics power that a video card provides (ie, it would, too, be emulated, like everything else)? /me re-reads the whole thing. Hope that made sense. I'm off to sleep...ahh, the joy of going to sleep 2 hours before waking up....
:badger:
Unfortunately, ESX server is probably not really what you want. ESX server runs a stripped down Linux OS as it's "console". You can't access any of the virtual machines from the console (ie, the keyboard and mouse connected to the computer). You can only access them remotely via either Remote Desktop or VMWare's administrative tool that basically uses a watered down VNC. What this means is that you need at least 2 computers. One for the ESX server, and one for your "workstation", and even then a number of the features from Vista or XP won't work right under VMWare, such as no 3D Window Manager, no "Aero Glass", no 3D games... etc... I prefer using remote desktop over the crappy VNC tool, it just seem s more responsive. As for price... yes, it's pretty expensive... though they did recently release a new "low end" version called VMWare ESX 3i that's below $500 i think for the base price.
-- Where are we going? And why am I in this handbasket?
-
!!This is a (mosly) theoretical topic!! So, I've lately done something to my Vista install that makes it BSOD at random intervals. I've lost a fair amount of work because of that, but that's a different issue. I've also been planning (well, more like just thinking of) moving to Vista x64 (I mean, I _am_ running on a x64 capable processor, so why not? I've checked, and all the programs/drivers I use do exist in x64 versions, so... I should be fine). Now, just right now, I had a thought (yeah, I know, they're rare; but they happen :D ). I may need to have the ability to dual boot into Vista and XP (actually, I WILL need the ability to do that). However, it kinda dawns on me that I will have to close all my work, reboot, bla bla bla. Theoretically (that is, as far as I understand), VMWare's ESX server runs as a 'mini-OS', on top of which all the other 'machines' run. I dont know the price, but it is most likely out of the question to get the ESX server for 'home' usage. Which is why all this is theoretical. Back to what I am trying to say. So, if VMWare ESX server is installed on a machine, then it is possible to make a Vista machine on it, and an XP machine. And then simply switch between them as I would with VMWare Workstation, for example. Except with a much lower memory footprint, etc. Has anyone ever tried this? Anyone has their company running anything on VMWare's ESX server? Your thoughts on my theory? Do you think (know?) I will loose all the graphics power that a video card provides (ie, it would, too, be emulated, like everything else)? /me re-reads the whole thing. Hope that made sense. I'm off to sleep...ahh, the joy of going to sleep 2 hours before waking up....
:badger:
Also, be aware that ESX server has a VERY restrictive hardware compatibility list. Basically, it's Intel and Broadcom network cards. That means no Marvell, no Realtek, etc.. you know, the stuff most people have. Only the most recent version supports SATA controllers (it's been entirely SCSI so far), and I think the choice in SATA controllers is very limiting.
-- Where are we going? And why am I in this handbasket?