OS and Software > No, I Will Not Fix Your #@$!! Computer > Virtualization Server and Network Setup?

Virtualization Server and Network Setup?

• Roommate:
  
  
  
  1. Desktop(wireless, dual boot ubuntu and vista 64)
  
  
  2. Netbook(wireless, dual boot ubuntu and xp home)
  
  
  
  



• Myself:
  
  
  
  1. Desktop(wired, trying to decide OS, the reason for the post)
     
     
     
     • Proc:AMD X2 Athlon 64 Dual Core 4200+lspci says AMD K8 Athlon 64/Opteron Hypertransport Technology Config?
     
     
     • Motherboard: M2N32-SLI Deluxe/Wireless Edition »usa.asus.com/Product.aspx?P_ID=0···KstYRvev
     
     
     • 2 gigs ram
     
     
     
     
  
  
  
  2. Laptop(Mostly wireless, Vista 64 home premium preinstalled havent downloaded
     ubuntu yet but will probably dual boot, I use Ubuntu mainly but have been using
     Vista since it was preinstalled and I use windows at work)
  
  
  
  



• Nas
  
  
  
  • Western Digital MyBook World (wired)
  
  
  • A whole other thread, was 1tb, but after the drive failed FOR THE SECOND TIME,
    they are supposed to be sending a 2TB edition
  
  
  
  

VMWare ESXi if your hardware supports it. You need more RAM though if you want to effectively run more than 1 or 2 VMs.

That was my first choice. I tried the CD, but it wont seem to boot. I'm not sure if the hardware is a problem, but I downloaded the cd twice and burned it twice and it just blinks the cursor for a minute then boots off the first hard drive.

»www.vmware.com/resources/compati···oq=&aqi=

The compatibility tool only shows opteron and xeon processors, but I believe it runs on others. I would think if it was a problem with the hardware they would have it stop and show the error message, but I have no idea.

Your right about the ram, thats why i wanted to use ESXi. Im going to snag some RAM of the next machine that I can.
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Connecticut Web Design and Development

I've booted ESXi off all kinds of hardware, the limitation is usually the storage controller. Have you tried re-downloading and burning it on completely different hardware or possibly trying an older 3.5 image, which is 32-bit rather than 64-bit like the 4.0 versions?

reply to johnnyboyct
Most likely some of your hardware is not going to work with VMWare.

If you are trying ESXi v4.0, try v3.5. If v3.5 doesn't work, I would suggest then installing Linux and dropping VMWare Server onto that. Or if you can get your hands on Windows 2008 you can use Microsoft's Hyper-V and their virtualization abilities.

And like mentioned above, you will want more then 2 gigs of ram if you want to run more then 3-4 VM's without tons of HD thrashing within ESX.
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How lucky am I to have known someone who is so hard to say good-bye to.

reply to johnnyboyct
You can start playing around with VMware and 2GB of RAM. With Xen you will definitely need more than that.

However, the more VMs you have or depending on the use the for VMs you will need more RAM. But to start with you ll be fine with 2GB.

I do a lot of development on my home PC and i use VMs and i only have 1GB of ram.. However, it dont use it for heavy things.

I can only talk about Xen since i havent used VMware for over a year now, but XenServer 5.5 is really nice.

reply to johnnyboyct
esxi 4.0 will work just fine on a desktop. If you want single disk SATA storage it will work just fine .. 4.0 supports sata now.

If you want raid, you will need a decent raid controler. Ebay a Dell perc 6i, or dell website (250$) It's a great controler. (this card will need to go in your gfx x16 PCIE slot)

I have my 4.0 server running fine on a A64 6000+

reply to johnnyboyct
In general, the VMWare ESX/vSphere solutions are going to be a lot pickier about hardware than most of the other virtualization solutions (VMware Workstation, Xen, etc.).

The VMware hypervisor in ESX/vSphere is a very stripped-down OS. It has a much more limited supported-device list than hosted hypervisors (e.g., VMware Workstation or MS Vserver) or generalized hypervisors (e.g., Xen). So, if you're having issues with ESX/vSphere and your hardware, try one of the hosted virtualization solutions or even Xen.
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell

reply to johnnyboyct
I re downloaded the esxi image and re burned it, then I changed the CD drive in the PC, and it works!

Havent gotten to use it yet though, Ill check it out tonight
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Connecticut Web Design and Development

reply to johnnyboyct
So its up and running, anyone have any good ideas for VMs for me? Suggestions on the network setup?

Im thinking I want a semi simple router app (I have the 2 nics and wireless on board) just to see what kind of bandwidth we both do and maybe tweak (QoS?)?

Anyways, the new toy is running, and I can connect with vsphere, what can I do to have some fun :P
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Connecticut Web Design and Development

Well, there is alot.

You can run
pfsence, with ntop for router + traffic monitor

On my 2 ESX home boxes i have the following

2x DCs
2x Exchange 2007 (HT/MB)
1x wsus, AV
1x SNMP, and Third party ESX management server
1x SQL server
1x ISA (not setup completely yet)
1x SCCM
1x MOM
1x Sharepoint

reply to johnnyboyct
Vyatta is a really good "routing" OS, but QoS doesnt work very well due to some issue with the clocks...

Other than that, it is very powerful...

Solaris..? only because of ZFS... Other than that i guess any other OS would work...

reply to johnnyboyct
Man this thread came at a good time. I'm attempting to build out 2 VM's for Server 2003 for my MCSE lab. I have a pretty powerful machine already and want to make sure that I'm taking the most cost efficient route. Could use an opinion from someone who has done this before.

reply to bilbusb
Wow—that’s some home setup you have there.

reply to johnnyboyct
That's just my VMs

I have 2 fileservers with DFS replication between them.

1 firewall, pfsence

i used to have a few more, but i was able to migrate all that to ESX