Virtual Machines
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VirtualBox [^] is good (and free).
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997Great! My 5 for you.
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As part of my own professional development I want to start looking at Sharepoint and Biztalk (among others) and so need to set up a machine which supports them. My box is Windows 7 (64bit) but since these are server products, they'll only exist on Server 2003/8. Fortunately I've got a full MSDN license so I'm able to build a machine legally but rather than trashing my current box and reinstalling a new OS, I thought it might be better to create a few VMs and spin them up while I'm figuring out how stuff works. The thing is, I don't know where to start... Should I be using MS Virtual PC? VM Ware? Something else? Will I be able to run a WS2K8 VM on a Weven box? I'm sure I've got a few hard disks knocking around that I could put into my box and use some boot manager program to boot into different machines if this would be better...?? Any guidance appreciated!!
Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
I have been using VMWare workstation for that purpose for a long time (approx 2 years). I have been so extremelly pleased with its performance, that I ended up using 3 different instances. One for development, one to act as a server and one for casual use (You really need a good CPU and quite a bit of RAM), while my "main" environment remained quite free of applications. VMware workstation suited me well due to the quite DirectX support it had (and has still) out of the box. I have used Microsoft's Virtual PC for quite some time as well (4-5 months running in parallel to VMware), and I can say it is a solid solution and works well, but lacks serious DirectX support (at least that was what bugged me at the time). Aside from that, it is really better than any free alternatives I have personally tried. Other than these two, I have very briefly looked at Virtual box, but not enough for me to offer a positive or negative suggestion for. I have to say though that currently I simply have another pc with my server apps and I can say it is the best setup so far, even if I sometimes miss the super clean main environment I had.
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As part of my own professional development I want to start looking at Sharepoint and Biztalk (among others) and so need to set up a machine which supports them. My box is Windows 7 (64bit) but since these are server products, they'll only exist on Server 2003/8. Fortunately I've got a full MSDN license so I'm able to build a machine legally but rather than trashing my current box and reinstalling a new OS, I thought it might be better to create a few VMs and spin them up while I'm figuring out how stuff works. The thing is, I don't know where to start... Should I be using MS Virtual PC? VM Ware? Something else? Will I be able to run a WS2K8 VM on a Weven box? I'm sure I've got a few hard disks knocking around that I could put into my box and use some boot manager program to boot into different machines if this would be better...?? Any guidance appreciated!!
Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
Most of the consultants I work with use Hyper V for development, but run Win2k8R2 on their host machines. This post has a great wealth of info on what you're trying to do, and suggests VM solutions for Win7: http://geekswithblogs.net/manesh/archive/2010/05/28/building-the-ultimate-sharepoint-2010-development-environment.aspx. Another question is whether to use just one machine, or spread the solution over multiple machines, having a virtual network between them. There's also an argument about that in the above blog post saying to go for a single machine. If you do this, one word of warning - hosting an AD server on a machine means that you won't have local groups on the server; they'll automatically be created as AD groups, which can cause some issues with automated install / configs for these apps. Again, in the above blog post this is avoided by making the host the AD server - but I have a feeling that that would only be applicable if you went the 2k8 route (see ). Are you just doing this to play with those tools as a developer, or are you insterested in the architecture? Having multiple vms gives you a better idea of how to configure things across multiple machines - knowing which bits to put on each. Having a single machine allows you to skip all the fuss and just get on with playing with your tools. Finally, if using MSDN there's a rule about only using it for development - so if you use your computer for anything other than development (e.g. checking emails / browsing the web), your OS needs to be bought seperately; you can't reuse an MSDN license under their license terms. Good luck with it!
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VirtualBox [^] is good (and free).
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997I'll second that. Virtualbox is not just free, it's one of the best virtualizing platforms around, compared to other more expensive (paid) options around. Works beautifully in seamless mode.
Najeeb Shaikh
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Most of the consultants I work with use Hyper V for development, but run Win2k8R2 on their host machines. This post has a great wealth of info on what you're trying to do, and suggests VM solutions for Win7: http://geekswithblogs.net/manesh/archive/2010/05/28/building-the-ultimate-sharepoint-2010-development-environment.aspx. Another question is whether to use just one machine, or spread the solution over multiple machines, having a virtual network between them. There's also an argument about that in the above blog post saying to go for a single machine. If you do this, one word of warning - hosting an AD server on a machine means that you won't have local groups on the server; they'll automatically be created as AD groups, which can cause some issues with automated install / configs for these apps. Again, in the above blog post this is avoided by making the host the AD server - but I have a feeling that that would only be applicable if you went the 2k8 route (see ). Are you just doing this to play with those tools as a developer, or are you insterested in the architecture? Having multiple vms gives you a better idea of how to configure things across multiple machines - knowing which bits to put on each. Having a single machine allows you to skip all the fuss and just get on with playing with your tools. Finally, if using MSDN there's a rule about only using it for development - so if you use your computer for anything other than development (e.g. checking emails / browsing the web), your OS needs to be bought seperately; you can't reuse an MSDN license under their license terms. Good luck with it!
Very good advice. Whatever you do keep in mind you need PLENTY of memory when doing SharePoint development. I have 8GB on my PC. Also make sure you have enough coffee on hand if you need to restart your machine. Restarts are SLOOOOOOW when SharePoint is installed (on the iron).
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VirtualBox [^] is good (and free).
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997One of the other advantages I've found in the past with VirtualBox over Microsoft VM is that it supports better attachment of USB devices. Probably not something you're worrying about but if you're developing new USB hardware it can definitely be a benefit.
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Just so you know, looking at Sharepoint or Biztalk isn't about professional development, it's about developing the kind of mental toughness that allows you to survive self surgery with a dull spoon with little more than a whimper. If you want to actually be productive, find something else, anything else, even writing perl scripts!
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
really? I would argue this. But I am too busy being paid a TON of money doing SharePoint and Project Server Development and there are a TON of jobs just waiting for me to finish what I am working on so that they can pay me a TON of money. It is a different thought process but it isn't terribly hard and you can be quite productive and have a wonderful time. So I shall go on laughing all the way to the bank.
To err is human to really mess up you need a computer
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As part of my own professional development I want to start looking at Sharepoint and Biztalk (among others) and so need to set up a machine which supports them. My box is Windows 7 (64bit) but since these are server products, they'll only exist on Server 2003/8. Fortunately I've got a full MSDN license so I'm able to build a machine legally but rather than trashing my current box and reinstalling a new OS, I thought it might be better to create a few VMs and spin them up while I'm figuring out how stuff works. The thing is, I don't know where to start... Should I be using MS Virtual PC? VM Ware? Something else? Will I be able to run a WS2K8 VM on a Weven box? I'm sure I've got a few hard disks knocking around that I could put into my box and use some boot manager program to boot into different machines if this would be better...?? Any guidance appreciated!!
Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
I have used them all pretty extensively for SharePoint development. Be sure you have alot of memory 8gb is a minimum. Also an SSD will make your life alot better. My rank VirtualBox VMWare MS Virtual PC. a few others not worth mentioning I currently use VMWare because work wants me to use VMWare. So that is what I use. But virtualbox is slightly better IMHO. Virtual PC works and is solid. You have MSDN but don't get locked into Microsoft for all your solutions.
To err is human to really mess up you need a computer
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really? I would argue this. But I am too busy being paid a TON of money doing SharePoint and Project Server Development and there are a TON of jobs just waiting for me to finish what I am working on so that they can pay me a TON of money. It is a different thought process but it isn't terribly hard and you can be quite productive and have a wonderful time. So I shall go on laughing all the way to the bank.
To err is human to really mess up you need a computer
And I shall laugh at you! :) Enjoy all your money!
¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF! Personal 3D projects Just Say No to Web 2 Point Blow
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As part of my own professional development I want to start looking at Sharepoint and Biztalk (among others) and so need to set up a machine which supports them. My box is Windows 7 (64bit) but since these are server products, they'll only exist on Server 2003/8. Fortunately I've got a full MSDN license so I'm able to build a machine legally but rather than trashing my current box and reinstalling a new OS, I thought it might be better to create a few VMs and spin them up while I'm figuring out how stuff works. The thing is, I don't know where to start... Should I be using MS Virtual PC? VM Ware? Something else? Will I be able to run a WS2K8 VM on a Weven box? I'm sure I've got a few hard disks knocking around that I could put into my box and use some boot manager program to boot into different machines if this would be better...?? Any guidance appreciated!!
Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
i think U should start observing the VMWare and then move in VM Box of Oracle and soon .
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As part of my own professional development I want to start looking at Sharepoint and Biztalk (among others) and so need to set up a machine which supports them. My box is Windows 7 (64bit) but since these are server products, they'll only exist on Server 2003/8. Fortunately I've got a full MSDN license so I'm able to build a machine legally but rather than trashing my current box and reinstalling a new OS, I thought it might be better to create a few VMs and spin them up while I'm figuring out how stuff works. The thing is, I don't know where to start... Should I be using MS Virtual PC? VM Ware? Something else? Will I be able to run a WS2K8 VM on a Weven box? I'm sure I've got a few hard disks knocking around that I could put into my box and use some boot manager program to boot into different machines if this would be better...?? Any guidance appreciated!!
Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
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Cheers John - I'll have a look when I get home
Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
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I have been using VMWare workstation for that purpose for a long time (approx 2 years). I have been so extremelly pleased with its performance, that I ended up using 3 different instances. One for development, one to act as a server and one for casual use (You really need a good CPU and quite a bit of RAM), while my "main" environment remained quite free of applications. VMware workstation suited me well due to the quite DirectX support it had (and has still) out of the box. I have used Microsoft's Virtual PC for quite some time as well (4-5 months running in parallel to VMware), and I can say it is a solid solution and works well, but lacks serious DirectX support (at least that was what bugged me at the time). Aside from that, it is really better than any free alternatives I have personally tried. Other than these two, I have very briefly looked at Virtual box, but not enough for me to offer a positive or negative suggestion for. I have to say though that currently I simply have another pc with my server apps and I can say it is the best setup so far, even if I sometimes miss the super clean main environment I had.
Exactly what I do, exactly. I tested Virtual Box against VMWare workstation about a year and a half ago, maybe two years and there was no comparison at all. Virtual Box ran vm images like a dog compared to VMWare which was much faster.
There is no failure only feedback
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I have used them all pretty extensively for SharePoint development. Be sure you have alot of memory 8gb is a minimum. Also an SSD will make your life alot better. My rank VirtualBox VMWare MS Virtual PC. a few others not worth mentioning I currently use VMWare because work wants me to use VMWare. So that is what I use. But virtualbox is slightly better IMHO. Virtual PC works and is solid. You have MSDN but don't get locked into Microsoft for all your solutions.
To err is human to really mess up you need a computer
rnbergren wrote:
But virtualbox is slightly better IMHO.
Really? Has something changed in the last year and a half because VMWare was all kinds of faster than Virtual Box on an *identical* configuration I tested before. I'm not arguing at all, I genuinely am interested because I'll switch in a heartbeat to whatever is fastest.
There is no failure only feedback
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rnbergren wrote:
But virtualbox is slightly better IMHO.
Really? Has something changed in the last year and a half because VMWare was all kinds of faster than Virtual Box on an *identical* configuration I tested before. I'm not arguing at all, I genuinely am interested because I'll switch in a heartbeat to whatever is fastest.
There is no failure only feedback
better doesn't always mean faster. It was more intuitive and easier to do snapshots and restores and a host of other little niggly things that just made it better in my opinion. Again this is opinion. VMWare and VirtualBox are both stable solid products. I have and would use either. If I was running my own shop? virtualbox.
To err is human to really mess up you need a computer
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As part of my own professional development I want to start looking at Sharepoint and Biztalk (among others) and so need to set up a machine which supports them. My box is Windows 7 (64bit) but since these are server products, they'll only exist on Server 2003/8. Fortunately I've got a full MSDN license so I'm able to build a machine legally but rather than trashing my current box and reinstalling a new OS, I thought it might be better to create a few VMs and spin them up while I'm figuring out how stuff works. The thing is, I don't know where to start... Should I be using MS Virtual PC? VM Ware? Something else? Will I be able to run a WS2K8 VM on a Weven box? I'm sure I've got a few hard disks knocking around that I could put into my box and use some boot manager program to boot into different machines if this would be better...?? Any guidance appreciated!!
Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
So in theory, you could use any of these. Last I checked MS Virtual PC doesn't run Linux. That was a major downer, because it's nice to have one VM for "other stuff". VMWare is probably the best overall product. But it's also $$$. You can get the free version (VMWare Player), but it does have a limited feature set including sharing of images. So I typically end up with VirtualBox. It lacked multi-core support (don't know if that's been fixed), but it generally run everything and has all of the features: command-line control, easy export and sharing. And it's free and easy to install so it lives on my portable drive along with my VM images. One big note when dealing with VMs. The biggest bottle-neck is often IO. Very useful to give it "it's own spindle". I've actually had a VirtualBox VM perform better with the VM on a USB drive.
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As part of my own professional development I want to start looking at Sharepoint and Biztalk (among others) and so need to set up a machine which supports them. My box is Windows 7 (64bit) but since these are server products, they'll only exist on Server 2003/8. Fortunately I've got a full MSDN license so I'm able to build a machine legally but rather than trashing my current box and reinstalling a new OS, I thought it might be better to create a few VMs and spin them up while I'm figuring out how stuff works. The thing is, I don't know where to start... Should I be using MS Virtual PC? VM Ware? Something else? Will I be able to run a WS2K8 VM on a Weven box? I'm sure I've got a few hard disks knocking around that I could put into my box and use some boot manager program to boot into different machines if this would be better...?? Any guidance appreciated!!
Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
There are a lot of things that make VM hosts a "six of one, half a dozen of the other" proposition. I have generally preferred VMWare Workstation, as it is not "terribly" expensive, and find that it does, in fact, perform the best. I have been using it since v2(??? OK, a long time...). The main issue I have with it is that to get the best performance, you install extensions on the virtual machine that, unless fairly recently changed, cannot go to other VMWare platforms, i.e. ESX, ESXi, without some pain. OK, I am a weirdo who likes the idea that if I get something "right", I can transfer the whole platform to production without changing it. (I work very hard to establish "test" platforms that mirror production platforms, which is a worthy and nice benefit to the concept and ability to have virtual production machines...[See VMWare's VMotion and MS's SCVMM]) Yes, you can theoretically dumb down a VMWare Workstation VM to make it compatible with an ESXx server, but that has not proven flawless either. I have heard rumblings that Hyper-V may be part, or at least available for some versions, of Windows 8. If done right, this would REALLY make me happy, but that is a BIG if. I agree with everyone else about your prime hardware interest for doing SharePoint and BizTalk development. MEMORY! I have 8gb on my work machine, and 16gb on my machine at home. Being able to put the virtual machine on a separate hard drive is certainly a big plus, but you get nowhere without plenty of memory. Did you know that SharePoint, SQL Server and BizTalk CAN be installed on Windows 7 (probably the "higher" versions, but nonetheless) for development purposes? Stuff will run just fine, and certainly, use a server product for "near production" testing, but Beth Massi had a post on her MSDN blog about installing a development SharePoint installation on a dual-booted boot from VHD Windows 7 environment several months back (it may be even longer, because it was using a SharePoint beta at that)...
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better doesn't always mean faster. It was more intuitive and easier to do snapshots and restores and a host of other little niggly things that just made it better in my opinion. Again this is opinion. VMWare and VirtualBox are both stable solid products. I have and would use either. If I was running my own shop? virtualbox.
To err is human to really mess up you need a computer
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As part of my own professional development I want to start looking at Sharepoint and Biztalk (among others) and so need to set up a machine which supports them. My box is Windows 7 (64bit) but since these are server products, they'll only exist on Server 2003/8. Fortunately I've got a full MSDN license so I'm able to build a machine legally but rather than trashing my current box and reinstalling a new OS, I thought it might be better to create a few VMs and spin them up while I'm figuring out how stuff works. The thing is, I don't know where to start... Should I be using MS Virtual PC? VM Ware? Something else? Will I be able to run a WS2K8 VM on a Weven box? I'm sure I've got a few hard disks knocking around that I could put into my box and use some boot manager program to boot into different machines if this would be better...?? Any guidance appreciated!!
Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
If you have need of sound from your VMs don't use Hyper-V. Last time I tried using it (about two months ago) for both Windows client and Linux clients, there was no audio capability. Personally I use VirtualBox and it works great for all operating systems (including a "virtual hackintosh" which has it's own issues like getting a decent desktop size and audio only works on one channel, but the point is that it can be done) and it supports snapshots so you can go back to a previously good known state with just a few clicks (think of it as System Restore for VMs).
Mike Poz