VMWare - Questions on the free client

[DaBeeeenster]

We have a client at work who looks like they might be needing a VMWare build of a win2k desktop to run some legacy applications of theirs. Question is, can I buy 1 copy of VMWare workstation, build the disk image, and then use the free VMWare client to use it on the client desktop?

I appreciate the need for Win2k licenses in this set-up, but wasn't sure if it was possible (or legal) to do this with VMWare?

EDIT: Or is there a free Virtualisation client I could use? Xen or something? This would be XP hosting Win2k.

[directhex]

We have a client at work who looks like they might be needing a VMWare build of a win2k desktop to run some legacy applications of theirs. Question is, can I buy 1 copy of VMWare workstation, build the disk image, and then use the free VMWare client to use it on the client desktop?

yes. just avoid higher-end features of WS5.5 like 64-bit

[Splash]

You wouldn't even need the Workstation client, get Server which is free and you should be able to build fine.

[mark19632]

You could download an evaluation copy of worktation, make the image then run it using the viewer. (the free vmserver won't install on XP client anymore)

[DaBeeeenster]

What about Xen? Anyone had any experience of that?

[Splash]

You could download an evaluation copy of worktation, make the image then run it using the viewer. (the free vmserver won't install on XP client anymore)

It won't? Since when?

And given that you're hosting on XP I don't think Xen is an option (Linux/NetBSD only)

I'm about to test Mark19632's theory that it doesn't install on an XP host - will let you know

[UKMuFFiN]

It won't? Since when?

And given that you're hosting on XP I don't think Xen is an option (Linux/NetBSD only)

I'm about to test Mark19632's theory that it doesn't install on an XP host - will let you know

He said client, but that wouldn't matter would it as you only need the vmplayer to run the image you made with the vmserver...

[mark19632]

It won't? Since when?

And given that you're hosting on XP I don't think Xen is an option (Linux/NetBSD only)

I'm about to test Mark19632's theory that it doesn't install on an XP host - will let you know

I ment vmserver won't install on XP, the player works fine

[Splash]

True, so he could create the image on Server or Workstation, then use Player to host once built. I've personally never used Player though, and was wondering how it deals with data - are you able to make changes to the .vmdk through player and then save them, or does everything revert to the initial image after the machine has been used? This could have impacts on which option the OP goes for.

Anyways, still dubious about mark19632's claim...

[Splash]

Ok, done some searching (and just proved it to myself) - VMWare Server WILL install under XP, VMWare just don't officially support it.

http://www.vmware.com/community/thre...ssageID=411181

[mark19632]

Anyways, still dubious about mark19632's claim...

http://www.vmware.com/community/thre...ssageID=411181

That thread was from 2004 and there have been a few updates since then!

[Splash]

Sorry mate, not a slight on yourself, just that I fairly recently installed it on an XP host at work, so they would have had to have dropped it fairly recently. The key here is the difference between being able to do something and being able to do something without support

Anyhoo, as proved Server WILL install on XP.

[b0redom]

I've just spent a lot of time working with VMWare stuff for a big client.

A couple of good free solutions are:

VMWare Server (VmWare)
VirtualPC (Microsoft)

You could use Xen, but last time I looked into it, it didn't officially support Windows as a client OS and it's based around the Linux kernel, so unless your client has a Linux based PC, you're stuck.

I ended up using VirtualPC in the end as it was the only one supporting OS/2, but you should be fine with either.

[mark19632]

Sorry mate, not a slight on yourself, just that I fairly recently installed it on an XP host at work, so they would have had to have dropped it fairly recently. The key here is the difference between being able to do something and being able to do something without support

Anyhoo, as proved Server WILL install on XP.

Ok just tried it and yes it does just say it has detaected an unsupported operating system but still does install.

I did have problem with it on my xp client though so I would just the player once the image is created.

man my memory is bad these days

[Kezzer]

I haven't yet seen the limitations. Personally I use VMWare Workstation and I've heard it's okay to use that and move over to VMWare Server although I can't be sure of the validity of this claim. Well, none really apart from someone's word on it

[Splash]

Ok just tried it and yes it does just say it has detaected an unsupported operating system but still does install.

I did have problem with it on my xp client though so I would just the player once the image is created.

man my memory is bad these days

No worries. I'm just trying to save the effort of installing 2 bits of software where one will do the job fine