Virtual Server alternatives

[~J~]

Just been reading that MS VirtualServer is now available as a free download (http://www.microsoft.com/virtualserver)

Does anyone know of an alternative product that will allow me to run various operating systems within an emulated environment?

I've heard about something call VMWare, but don't know if this will allow me to create 'files' that have a multitude of OS's on that I can run.

Any ideas?

 

[NathanE]

VMware is really the market leader so I'm sure their software will do everything you want.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

VMWare is the 800 lb gorilla of the virtualization market. I'm not intimately familiar with the package but it probably does everything you want and more.

EDIT: Beaten!

 

[~J~]

VMware is really the market leader so I'm sure their software will do everything you want.

Cheers, just been looking on their site now.

If I wanted to run Linux to test some programs, with Virtual Server I'd create a VHD and boot from that.

Do I need the VMServer to do the same, or is it the the VMPlayer. I can't seem to see which is better suited for my purposes.

 

[Otacon]

The player is just that - a program that will run pre-packaged VMs. VMWare server will let you create new virtual machines, and is what you want:

http://www.vmware.com/products/server/

 

[Mason64]

i use vmware in college for learning m.c.s.e and its brilliant!

 

[Fr0dders]

vmware is brilliant for testing stuff

create 2 virtual box's. Cluster 2 exchange servers, and then pull the plug on one and see what happens

if like me, its your first time clustering your exchange server will fall on its bum. But in the virtual environment you get to do this without a gazillion phone calls from users wanting to know why they've got no e-mail.

 

[Chaos]

As mentioned vmware is the daddy. Great for setting up virtual labs for certs.

 

[Mikey]

The real bonus of VM Ware is being able to transfer live server's into the virtual environment. I think it's a paid add on that's needed, but by ek it's good.