Spec me a cheap server for my Windows Server 2008 Course?

[tommytinkle]

Hey

I'm about to start learning windows server 2008 and have been thinking it might be a good idea to have a system to practice on at home. Can anyone spec me a likely to be cheap capable pc? I gather from trying to install it on an old p4 that its only happy with 64 bit hardware.

I had thought of installing it on a laptop but wonder if that would cause any issues?

Thanks.

 

[atomiser]

I'd suggest just using something like VMware or VirtualBox on your regular PC to be honest.

 

[tommytinkle]

Hi

Are either of these free to use? I saw VMware but its only a trial?

Still tempted by some sort of seperate server though!

 

[cokecan]

VMWare Server is free I believe and very good.

I use this to test with myself

 

[FireShadow]

vmware is better than real hardware because you can setup MASSIVE raid arrays etc. and do all sorts of experiments that would be too expensive or slow IRL

but you are (or were) limited on certain things - like setting up NIC teams and jumbo frames etc. because virtual hardware is limited

 

[tommytinkle]

Hi,

Are you referring to VMware server or is there a seperate VMware? I have the choice of a desktop or laptop to run it on - would the laptop be ok (T9300, 3gb ram)

Thank you.

 

[FireShadow]

I have vmware workstation at home and use ESX at work - don't know the others
(You can't run a 64 bit VM on a 32 bit CPU)
I run vmware workstation on old pentium m laptop with 1.5gb - fine for learning
It is very memory efficient - never understood it myself

 

[rexehuk]

Are you a student...? If so you can get windows server 2008 / R2 for free. www.dreamspark.com < awesome website.

 

[tommytinkle]

Are you a student...? If so you can get windows server 2008 / R2 for free. www.dreamspark.com < awesome website.

Hi,

This is why I want hardware suggestions or ideas - I want to install it for practice and experimentation for my certification

 

[cokecan]

Hi,

This is why I want hardware suggestions or ideas - I want to install it for practice and experimentation for my certification

You still have to install it like you would on bare metal with a virtual environment

If you're still looking at hardware then this thread may help: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18178720

Good suggestions for cheap/robust servers

 

[tommytinkle]

You still have to install it like you would on bare metal with a virtual environment

If you're still looking at hardware then this thread may help: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18178720

Good suggestions for cheap/robust servers

Your first line confuses me. As far as I was aware - blank hard drive, install and away we go - just as you would with any other windows install?

I want to get a few cheap switches, and experiment with some old pc hardware to properly learn the ins and outs of this stuff.

 

[cokecan]

you said:

I want to install it for practice and experimentation for my certification

I was just stating that you still have to install windows server in a VM just like you would on actual hardware so would still be good for practise and experimentation

 

[Sp00n]

Learn virtualbox, it's free, you can set up virtual networks, I personally had a 2008 server and 2 clients on the "domain" back at my old work, if you pc is up to scratch then it will be able to handle it no problem and you don't have to purchase new hardware.

 

[Evil-I]

+1 for virtualbox, its free and developed by sun microsystems so seems rock solid stable too.

 

[tommytinkle]

Thanks for the replies, am downloading virtualbox as we speak! Will post back with how I get on.

 

[rexehuk]

If you need help getting it running ill let you know of the settings to enable... as it can be a bit fussy.

Infact I'll post them now...

General

OS: Windows
Version: Windows 2008 64 BIT

System

Mobo
Base Memory: 1024
Extended Features: IO APIC

Processor
1 Core
Extended Features: Enable PAE/NX

Acceleration
Enable VT-x/AMD-V
Enable Nested Paging (Turn on if you want)

Storage

Point your CD drive to the IMAGE for 2008 R2

Should be all you need, if successful your virtual machine will boot up and ask to press any key to boot from CD.

 

[tommytinkle]

If you need help getting it running ill let you know of the settings to enable... as it can be a bit fussy.

Infact I'll post them now...

General

OS: Windows
Version: Windows 2008 64 BIT

System

Mobo
Base Memory: 1024
Extended Features: IO APIC

Processor
1 Core
Extended Features: Enable PAE/NX

Acceleration
Enable VT-x/AMD-V
Enable Nested Paging (Turn on if you want)

Storage

Point your CD drive to the IMAGE for 2008 R2

Should be all you need, if successful your virtual machine will boot up and ask to press any key to boot from CD.

Hey,

Thanks a lot for the above information. I now have a virtual 2008 server, which at the very least is useful for practice May look into getting a few cheap older bits and pieces to create a proper one in time

I've also got to touch on ubuntu server though, I take it this program will be capable of this too?

Thanks again.

 

[jamesmayers]

You can install vmware esxi for free on a box with 1 proc...

http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere-hypervisor/index.html

 

[tommytinkle]

Hey

Thanks for the replies and all your help - I managed by following settings posted in this thread which really helped

So thanks a lot

 

[SiriusB]

The beauty of using VirtualBox [or any VM software] is it allows you to save snapshots. Think of it is a sort of System Restore. So if you royally arse something up, you can roll back to the snapshot and everything will be the way it was - no need to reinstall etc.

Also, for learning purposes, Server 2008 will be under virtually zero load, so you can run several copies on one machine with very minimal resources. I am doing a Windows Server 2008 self pace training kit and already have 2 Server 2008 VMs and come clients. All can run at the same time without issue!