[NTLUG:Discuss] VMWare

[Chris Cox]

I use it at home and 24hrs a day at work.

The only problem I have with it so far is that the clock in the
virtual machine loses time.  Every morning, I have to reset the
clock under Windows.

VMWare most often is used with a virtual disk. The virtual disks
are regular files under Linux which are used to house up to
2G worth of VFAT for Windows.  Right now, I use Windows 98....I
have plans to try a Win NT configuration (we have a machine at
work with NT under VMWare....I just haven't tried it yet).

I Samba share my Linux files so the virtual machine can see them.
I also Samba share the printer under Linux and print from Windows
through that path.

VMWare can directly access your CDROM, parallel and serial devices...
BUT...remember, that if VMWare is using them, then Linux shouldn't
try to do so at the same time or strange things could happen. Where
possible, use Samba to get to any shared devices where you want
both Linux and the virtual machine to access something.

You can boot an IDE partition of Windows (or whatever) under
VMWare.  I do this on my laptop.  It works pretty well.

VMWare running Windows 98 works well for Windows programs.  Anything
using DirectX probably won't function correctly if at all (though
it is promised in a future version).  Old DOS games likewise will
probably not function well if at all.

Programs I use:

    Office 97
    Meeting Maker
    Eudora
    Netscape
    Clarify (uses Oracle 7.x client)
    Visio 5
    WinZip

There's not too much that I don't expect to work flawlessly under
VMWare.  However, I did try to run a VPN package using my modem
directly under VMWare.  VMWare dropped the connection shortly after
browsing a page or two.  You can however masquerade under Linux and
access your PPP (or whatever) network under the virtual machine.

I believe that you have to license each copy of VMWare (single-user
licenses)...I'd check their website for details (it's under the
sales FAQ).  They do have special prices for 50+ licenses.
I have a personal license and I'm purchasing a commercial license
for the office.  There is no difference between versions as far
as I know (possibly support??... check www.vmware.com).

Wine attempts to support the Windows API call layer on top of
the Linux OS.  VMWare sets up a virtual machine which is ready
to execute whatever OS you choose to load into it.  Therefore,
VMWare is able to run virtually everything designed for the OS
being run.  Performance isn't too bad....but you'll want to make
sure to get plenty of memory.  The downside is that you do
have to own a copy of the OS you want to run in the virtual machine.
Wine of course, is striving to create an operating environment
that runs Windows programs without having to have any part of
the commercial Windows OS.

Regards,
Chris



Greg Edwards wrote:
> 
> Is anyone using VMWare?  I'd like to eliminate my windows box and
> run VMWare (or Wine) instead.  What are any gotchas?  Are there any
> obscure issues using the Linux file system for all data storage or
> will it store as well as Samba?  Do I still need to run Samba as a
> virtual net?  What's the difference between the full version and the
> hobby/student versions?  I haven't been able to determine from the
> web site if it's a per seat purchase, anyone know?  Any info would be
> real helpful.
> 
> TIA,
> 
> --
> Greg Edwards
> New Age Software, Inc.
> (972)393-4907
> 
> _______________________________________________
> http://ntlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss