Virtual Machines

December 5, 2008 by dave.

I’ve been introduced to a ‘new’ technological concept that I’m very excited about.  The concept allows you to create individual and segregated ‘fake computers’ within your existing computer.  Have I lost you yet?….I know - geek talk.  Anyway the concept is best described with an example:

I installed VMware Workstation software on my laptop. It was very simple and it was free for a 30 day trial.  Once I did this I decided to install a Linux operating system called Ubuntu within this ‘virtual machine’.  Now I can run and install any Linux application within it’s own virtual machine (upon my laptop that runs Windows XP Professional).

The same company has a version that can be installed on a Mac so you can install Windows to run in it’s own area.

Why is this helpful?  Well for the tech hobbiest it allows you to install and run multiple operating systems to experiment and play.  Web developers may find it useful because they can run Mac and Windows software to verify browser compatibility.  Application developers may find it useful because they can experiment with software in a segregated and controlled environment.

I have a professional interest in this because the concept will allow me to migrate several physical servers into one server running multiple virtual machines….it will save money and energy and also provides easier disaster recovery options.

A few screenshots follow (click on them for full-size):

A virtual machine loading:

Playing with ubuntu Linux in a virtual machine:

A look at the VMware controls:

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