One of the biggest benefits of virtualization is hardware savings. If you are not familiar with virtualization, but want to start getting familiar with it, I recommend you start with VMware server. VMware is the leader in virtualization, and their VMware server is the entry point for anyone interested in virtualization. VMware server does not require any other computer hardware than the one you are already using. It installs and run along your Windows operating system.
Table of Contents
Getting Ready
To start using VMware do the following:
Download the software from http://www.vmware.com/download/server/ you will have to register to get the activation key. The key string is sent to your email address provided during the registration. The download file size is 580MB so a fast DSL Internet connection is required when downloading the file, and at least 2 GB of hard drive space available on the computer you are planning to run VMware server on.
Installing VMware Server
Once you download the VMware Server 2.0 file, double click on the file to start the installation:
the above screen should come up when you double click on the installation file. wait a few minutes until the installation wizard comes up:
click on the Next button.
accept the license agreement on the following screen, and click Next.
On the next window choose the destination folder. most of the time, the default path should be fine.
Click on the next button.
Next, you will need to choose the storage path for your virtual machines. the default path is C:\Virtual Machines. again, most of the times this path is fine.
as you can see, you also need to specify the full qualified domain of the machine VMware server will be hosted on. the default settings are fine with me, because I will be using VMware on my local computer. also uncheck “Allow virtual machines to start and stop automatically with the system” that is if you are not going to be using VMware server 2.0 regularly.
click next, after you enter the settings.
next, you will need to choose where you will want to have the shortcuts to launch VMware server. click next, after that.
on the next screen, you are ready for the installation, click on Install.
after awhile through the installation, VMware server installation wizard should ask you for the registration key:
Enter your own registration key you got on your e-mail from VMware. click Enter after that.
the installation of VMware Server 2.0 should be completed.
click on Finish.
restart the computer to launch VMware server for the first time.
Hi,
According to one of the VMware Server 2 documentation that i found below: http://www.vmware.com/products/beta/vmware_server…
it mentioned for Windows platform, we must use Windows Server as the host OS. However, in this case you are using Windows XP.
Is there any issue? Hope you can share some experience here.
Thanks.
hi jbchurn
the topic 's "a bit" buried (cause the 2.0 's not in beta state anymore)
but an answer's better than none…
I run The 2.0 WMS on a 2K8 enterprise 32 (as host )
the conf :
8200 dual core /Asus P8QLD pro
memory 4 GO (corsair XMS/Edata<==not very falous but very stable)
A 150 GO raptor (for the host os/tools/others)
2TO for the storage
and it roxes as well as a nux !!!! (without the drivers worries frequently encountered on a nux !)
ifyou're listennin'/readin' mr deb please make an effort on your lan drivers ^^for squeeze….
So I 'd say that's quite good anyway
Comparing to a real ESX ( I used 2 manage a 3 nodes cluster of it @ work)
that's a more "user friendly" solution (more open that the bl**dy short hcl of esx
( that 's a real nitemare !!)but very efficient on my opinion to make a home lab
It wirks fine on windows xp.