Hi all. I want to set up a small array of linux servers on a couple computers I have.. I'd like to use virtualization software and set up 2-3 VM's on each computer. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what software and OS to use i.e. vmware vs virtual box... ubuntu server vs centOS vs suse etc..

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Recommended Answers

All 7 Replies

VMWare and Ubuntu. It is all a matter of preference but I love debian and ubuntu is debian based but provides more features.

VMWare and Ubuntu. It is all a matter of preference but I love debian and ubuntu is debian based but provides more features.

Thanks for the reply. Have you used ubuntu server + vmware at all? Do you suggest any vmware software in particular? I've been using ubuntu for years now and have used vmware workstation to monitor some local vm's but I havent set up a virtualized server inviornment yet so I wanted to get some suggestions before i dove in head first.

Yes, i run my subversion code repository on an ubuntu VM installed inside of a Windows 2003 R2 server. I use VMWare Workstation as its all I really needed to install another VM instance. I don't know too much about VMware's licensing but for whatever reason it looked like the best license when I purchased it.

Yes, i run my subversion code repository on an ubuntu VM installed inside of a Windows 2003 R2 server. I use VMWare Workstation as its all I really needed to install another VM instance. I don't know too much about VMware's licensing but for whatever reason it looked like the best license when I purchased it.

O, okay thanks. What I really want to is get away from MS completely and use Ubuntu server with vmware. I guess i'm gunna have to check out vmware and their associated apps and see which one works - thanks!

If you are trying to get away from Microsoft completely and you plan on using Ubuntu for everything, you may want to look into KVM. Kernel-based virtual machine is built into Ubuntu's kernel and works quite well. You can check it out here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu/serveredition/technologies/virtualization

If you're set on using VMware, I would suggest CentOS as your linux. It plays better with VMware because it's officially supported as an enterprise platform, and CentOS is really just a clone.

If you decide on CentOS, Auireon.com has a great article on installing the base system.

http://www.auireon.com/content/centos-rhel-server-installation

Good luck!

If you are trying to get away from Microsoft completely and you plan on using Ubuntu for everything, you may want to look into KVM. Kernel-based virtual machine is built into Ubuntu's kernel and works quite well. You can check it out here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu/serveredition/technologies/virtualization

If you're set on using VMware, I would suggest CentOS as your linux. It plays better with VMware because it's officially supported as an enterprise platform, and CentOS is really just a clone.

If you decide on CentOS, Auireon.com has a great article on installing the base system.

http://www.auireon.com/content/centos-rhel-server-installation

Good luck!

Thanks for the post! My main concern was setting up some way of accessing the system from my main desktop thats sitting right next to it. Would you have any suggestions as to how to access them remotely besides ssh? Sometimes I like having the actual gui :p

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.