Running Linux Virtual server on Windows 7

miragemirage
edited October 2009 in Science & Tech
I decided to retire the two Linux servers running in the basement (PD-805 and Athlon 64 X2 3800+) because a virtual Linux server on my Q6600 desktop is going to run my jobs faster. I need to decide on the virtualization software now. As far as I could see, the followings are the options
- VMware
- VirtualBox
- Windows Virtual PC
I am not sure if Windows Virtual PC is a good idea to try with Linux on Windows 7 Pro x64 since Linux is not officially supported. I need to decide between VMware and VirtualBox. It would be great if you guys can help me choosing/finding the best solution. Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited October 2009
    VMWare is easily the most robust of the three, but it requires a fee. VirtualBox is a good alternative without a pricetag.
  • miragemirage
    edited October 2009
    I had used VMware for free a couple of years ago. Since they are charging now I will certainly choose VirtualBox. Do you have any idea about Linux on Windows Virtual PC?
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited October 2009
    VPC only supports Microsoft guest operating systems. :)
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited October 2009
    VMWare Player is free, isn't it? And as I recall, there are some repositories out there of premade disks images to run on them. I don't think it REQUIRES a fee in all scenarios.
  • AlexDeGruvenAlexDeGruven Wut? Meechigan Icrontian
    edited October 2009
    VMWare still has a free product: VMWare Server.

    VirtualBox is good, and has some great features for a free product that costs quite a lot in the commercial products.
  • miragemirage
    edited October 2009
    Okay then, thanks a lot for the replies! I am left with VirtualBox now and it actually looks like a good quality software.
  • miragemirage
    edited October 2009
    Snarkasm wrote:
    VMWare Player is free, isn't it? And as I recall, there are some repositories out there of premade disks images to run on them. I don't think it REQUIRES a fee in all scenarios.

    Snark, do you think VirtualBox is good for the first choice?
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited October 2009
    It's perfectly capable, and you don't have to rely on other people to build your v-machines. No reason not to, I was just pointing out that VMWare wasn't strictly paid.

    (That was a yes - VirBox is fine.)
  • miragemirage
    edited October 2009
    Okay thanks again guys, I am good to go. BTW, my next post will be 1000 :)
  • ardichokeardichoke Icrontian
    edited October 2009
    Yeah, the next release of VMWare Player is supposed to have support for making new virtual machines built into it. That said, I've used VMWare Player, the VMWare paid software, Parallels and VirtualBox and, at least from my experience, VirtualBox is just as good as any of the other ones for most usage.
  • miragemirage
    edited October 2009
    I have installed VirtualBox on my laptop and desktop. Although it is a relatively smaller package, it has a complete feature set. Using hardware virtualization (if available), it is able to create SMP and 64-bit guest operating systems. (64-bit guest requires 64-bit host). It is nice to have shared folders (guest mounts and read/writes to a host folder) and mouse/keyboard integration (mouse pointer moves between host desktop and guest window seamlessly). Also, installs accelerated graphics, mouse/keyboard drivers not only on host but also on guest for better performance (drivers are required for mouse/keyboard integration). VirtualBox has done everything I expected and impressed me.
  • AlexDeGruvenAlexDeGruven Wut? Meechigan Icrontian
    edited October 2009
    Yup. It's a really great product at a fantastic price. A lot of the extra features that are in VB are only included in the higher-end versions of VMWare.
Sign In or Register to comment.