Lab environment

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Ok guys. Was just wondering what the preferred vm software is for a lab set up.

I've already passed my xp and 290 exams, going for the 291 next and want to get a virtual lab set up. From your experiences what would you say would be the best one to use?

I've got an older Dell poweredge 750 that I'm going to hook up to run it on.

Regards.. Karl

 

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It depends if you want to buy software or you want free software. I personally use VMware workstation, but this is NOT a free product.

 

If free is good enough for the job then perfect!

I'll take a look at that, Thanks.

 

sorry I had a typo! It isn't free!

 

2 other free solutions are virtual PC and VirtualBox. I really like Virtual PC for some reason but I've got virtualBox so I can install a 64bit quest which I don't think you can do in virtual pc.

 

VMware Player is free though.

 

Thanks chaps.

 

I've used VMWare server successfully before and that is free

 

If you can afford it, VMWare provides an excellent solution (and of course a free solution).

I think VMWare might be a bit of overkill though for a little lab setup. I really like VirtualBox for testing Linux distro's etc but for MS labs I actually really do like Virtual PC.

The other contender to note would be Hyper-V although this comes with Server 2008.

VirtualBox would be my favourite overall for home use. But for strictly MS labs, it's hard to deny Virtual PC 2007 and it's brilliance. And hey, you're doing an MS exam, may as well keep it in check?

For enterprise it's a toss up between VMWare and Hyper-V, maybe lean a bit toward VMWare as Hyper-V is still a bit 'bleeding edge' for enterprise.

 

Actually Hyper-V also comes in a free version as well. Of course this means you need a dedicated box for it rather than running it onto of anything else.

 

Didn't know that, thanks for the pointer. Might have to try it out on it's own...

 

I use VMWare and its perfect for my studying needs. Currently studying for 70-350, which calls for a network of 5 machines consisting of 4 servers and a client. So I've set up the virtual network on my home computer and its running just fine, including Internet access for the network.

 

VMware is great for testing OS's and practicing labs etc pretty much nullified the point of dual booting to some extent.

The main upgrade you could make would be RAM if you need it so you can run a few vm clients and servers with no problems.

For VMware I use a i7 machine, 6GB ram with an ssd for VMware in win7 x64 - Works a treat and is super quick in VM's

For Hyper-V/Server 2008 r2 I have a separate drive conected by eSata, if i want to use Hyper-V/Server 2008 r2 I reboot and change the boot priority to boot from this drive.

This keeps things nice and separate.

 

Is there anywhere you can download free VHDs for different operating systems for labs

 

I don't think in Vmware you can use VHD's, so you're left with Hyper-V (which is free) in which case you can make them yourself by just creating new Virtual Machines from the OS disks or ISO's you have.

Probably easy to use Vmware player than the hassle of a seperate Hyper-V install etc.

 

I use VMWare esxi and it's free and runs great! the only thing is you need hardware that supports it. I use the ML115 G5 server.

 

Microsoft has some VHDs for download for trial periods. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/bb738372.aspx

and there are these downloads from VMware http://www.vmware.com/appliances/