[NTLUG:Discuss] Difference between VMPlayer and the newfree VMWare Server

[Burton Strauss]

Setting up a VM is just like setting up a bare metal PC.  Exactly the same.
When it first starts up there's nothing there and you better give it a CD or
floppy to boot from to install the OS.

However, when it comes to VMs there are also a number of 'pre-built' VMs
available.  For example VMWare has their 'browser appliance', which is a
Linux disto (don't know which one) with a web browser.  The idea is that if
you fireup the VM and use that web browser, even if you get a bad piece of
malware, all you have lost is the VM.

Other pre-built VMs are created for demonstration.  Instead of having to
install a package under all flavors of Linux, a 50 or 100MB pre-built is a
GREAT demo - you KNOW it will work.

Go here: http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/vm/ to see the variety available - just
the community one include three IP PBXes, half a dozen firewalls and
starter/test releases for maybe 20 OSes.

-----Burton


-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at ntlug.org [mailto:discuss-bounces at ntlug.org] On Behalf
Of lonny.dahl at verizon.com
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 7:03 AM
To: NTLUG Discussion List
Subject: Re: [NTLUG:Discuss] Difference between VMPlayer and the newfree
VMWare Server

<snip />
                                                                           
>OK, what's there to play?  Does VMPlayer come with a preconfigured set 
>of VMs?  If so, whose OS?  If Windows then how is licensing handled?  I 
>think you opened a can of worms ...

See, this is exactly what I was talking about.  What exactly is there to
"play"?
Is there a virtual machine with OS already set up on a host system, so all
you do is install apps in the VM and run them?  Do you have to "set up" the
guest system, ie install the OS to a VM that's already there or what?  I'm
glad to know I'm not the ONLY one the distinction is lost on.

Thanks,

Wayne