Topic: VMWare Server Options

[daniel]

I would like anyones opinion on a VMware concept I'm planning on executing.  If anyone has already done something like this, I'd be much appreciative of any feedback.

I want to use VMware running on a Dual P3-1.2Ghz server with 2gb Ram and a 120gb drive.  I want to add 3 network adapters to be able to run 3 Virtual servers.

One server (or Primary would be a stock 7.3 SME for testing of contribs and patches before applying to any production servers.  Next would be a Virtual Server of SME8.0 to test with.  Finally a Windows XP Pro Virtual server for Windows apps.  The windows apps need a dedicated IP address and access to 2-4 Serial Com ports built into the server.  I'm not worried about overworking the server because one of the 3 system would really only be used at once, however I do need each one to have its own dedicated IP and be independent systems for testing on the lan. 

I've read through most of the forums and wikis but still haven't found anything that describes a setup exactly like what I want.   I also understand this would allow me to create server images of my test models so I could wipe and restore any virtual server  for testing.  If anyone has any suggestions pro or con, I'd be interested.

[Boris]

To do what you describe, you don't really need separate NICs for your virtual servers. Use bridged networking on the same LAN adapter, that host server uses and configure different IP addresses inside of each Virtual Machine. If performance (high bandwidth) is not the objective, shared bandwidth for 2-3 servers on one adapter is enough for testing. 2GB of RAM will allow you to run comfortably all three servers at the same time if needed.

[daniel]

Thanks for the information.  I successfully setup the recommended VMware contrib and now have SME7.3 as Host OS and WinxpPro as a guest OS.   Its a bit different than I though tit would be. 

I loaded up the gui management web app, then saw where I could download the server console for my windows machine.  Then I figured out how to create a Virtual environment and load up windows.  Seems the Virtual Server console running on my PC is similar to a VNC style connection.  My assumption was I would be switching between virtual console windows on the server itself.  I like the remote virtual console concept, but I was hoping to be able to set at the server and switch between guest OSes.   Is this possible to do if I install a GUI (X or KDE) on the sme server (which I've read in the past is not advisable)?  Or is there a console command I type to switch between the VM console screens on the server itself?

Thanks for any input anyone might have.

[cactus]

Thanks for the information.  I successfully setup the recommended VMware contrib and now have SME7.3 as Host OS and WinxpPro as a guest OS.   Its a bit different than I though tit would be. 

I loaded up the gui management web app, then saw where I could download the server console for my windows machine.  Then I figured out how to create a Virtual environment and load up windows.  Seems the Virtual Server console running on my PC is similar to a VNC style connection.  My assumption was I would be switching between virtual console windows on the server itself.  I like the remote virtual console concept, but I was hoping to be able to set at the server and switch between guest OSes.   Is this possible to do if I install a GUI (X or KDE) on the sme server (which I've read in the past is not advisable)?  Or is there a console command I type to switch between the VM console screens on the server itself?

Thanks for any input anyone might have.

The console should have tabs, or a menu bar in which you can switch between guests, but I suggest you read the VMWAre manual(s) as this is not SME Server specific.

[Boris]

SME server doesn't have X-Windows GUI necessary for running console on the server. Adding X-Windows GUI to SME while theoretically possible is highly discouraged. If your want to seat at the server directly, you will be served better with generic Linux or Windows as your host OS.
In the real life, most common way to run SME is as headless server (no monitor or keyboard) tacked into server closet or remotely located  at customer premises. Most administration is done remotely via SSH or Web. Virtual guest computer running on the SME-VMware server is just a convenient extra (always ON) workstation on your network or extra server, running separate from SME task ( windows application, database or similar).