Can PCs handle multiple VM using VMware?

darude · 19 Apr 2006 at 21:24

Hi all,

I was thinking of getting a decent PC to virtualise my family's desktops.
So the plan is, get one fast PC with enough RAM to virtualise about 5 desktops at one time.

The CPU load on the family's desktops will be pretty low - most of them only use MSN, Word, net browsing etc.

I will be using it for programming, graphics design - I guess its best to use the physical OS for this.

Do you reckon it's a good idea for the family to use remote desktop to access the VMs? At the mo, we got 1Ghz P3 boxes. They do lag when you open multiple browsers and use word and MSN at the same time.

If you guys think its a good idea, shall I go for a server type processor such as Opteron or Xeon, or shall I go for AMD FX or Pentium D?

If you have the time, what specs would you recommend. I've been told that you should easily be able to run 10+ VMs per processor (using IBM Blades).

Awaits for your reply...

Una · 19 Apr 2006 at 21:48

If you want a decent vm package look at Xen. It supports multiple processors where I think Vmware only supports duel at the moment. Yes you are best off with xenon's for Blade servers.

darude · 19 Apr 2006 at 21:52

Una said:
If you want a decent vm package look at Xen. It supports multiple processors where I think Vmware only supports duel at the moment. Yes you are best off with xenon's for Blade servers.

I'm not after VMs for Blades - it was just something I've been told, I'm actualy looking for VMs for PC Desktops. But if you reckon Xeon's are the only processors that can cope, does that mean I shouldn't consider a PC desktop with Athlon or Pentium?

Una · 19 Apr 2006 at 22:01

Im not realy sure about the high end desktop processors now. I just presumed if you were planning on running these you would be looking at least an smp setup.
The main requirement will be a lot of Ram however.

marc2003 · 19 Apr 2006 at 22:02

vmware is way overkill for what you want. 1ghz p3's are plenty powerful enough for msn, web etc. make sure they all have at least 512mb of ram and they'll be fine.

running multiple virtual machines at once is not a problem at all for a reasonably new machine. i can run 3 vm's at once on my modest dothan & 1gb ram. but that's all on one screen. you haven't a hope of running it on remote desktop unless you get a server os (2000 or 2003) AND terminal services licensing. not feasible.....

Una · 19 Apr 2006 at 22:07

No I can run 2 or 3 fine with Xen and linux (all free), thats with a duel xeon 2.4Ghz and 2GB of ram.. Realy im not sure how 4 or 5 would cope, I guess it would be fine for browsing but if your going to do anything more intense on them I doubt it. I think your probably best off just upgrading the ram in the p3 box's you already have.