vmware server query

jaffacaique · 30 Mar 2009 at 19:44

I have a query, in several posts vmware server is mentioned. Is this free to use or is it only free to try i.e. 30 days? I've tried using using Microsofts Virtual PC and also Virtual Box, Virtual Box seems a bit better to use out of the two.

I've seen vmware mentioned many times and was under the impression that it was really expensive. Am I missing something really obvious (highly likely)...
If this is free, what makes it so much better than the other 2 I've mentioned?

lokkers · 30 Mar 2009 at 19:48

VMware Server is free, as is Virtual Server (the MS equilvalent).

Burnsy2023 · 30 Mar 2009 at 19:56

lokkers said:
VMware Server is free, as is Virtual Server (the MS equilvalent).

Indeed. Vmware's ESXi (bare metal hypervisor) is also free (similar to MS' Hyper-V bundled with Server 08).

jaffacaique · 30 Mar 2009 at 20:12

Which is the better and more user friendly out of VMware server or Virtual Server, are they better alternatives that allow the 'Virtual PC' to run quicker than say using Virtual Box or MS Virtual PC?

Sorry for all the questions

Burnsy2023 · 30 Mar 2009 at 20:21

I'm an avid fan of VMware. I don't like Virtual Server much at all. Play with them and see what you prefer.

lokkers · 31 Mar 2009 at 06:30

I preferred the old VMWare server, but I'm not a big fan of version 2's UI. I've got Virtual Server on my home server, and I use VirtualPC at work. There are arguably better alternatives, but VPC is dead easy to use.

That said, I've been meaning to download VMware server again, so I might do that later. Virtualbox is another alternative, but I found the networking very fiddly.