Using VMWare as a test lab?

I want to setup a test lab in my home..... for learning
purposes naturally.

I currently only have one PC at home.... a Dell 4100...
512 meg ram.... 45 gig drive..... Win XP Pro..... 21"
monitor.

I was told that instead of buying more PCs.... that one
could use VMWare and run "virtual" PCs.

Is my current 4100 capable of running VMWare?

If yes.... which is better and why? To run VMWare on
ONE pc.... vs having say three "boxes"?

Advice on what to buy or do?

KLXrider
Wed Jul 16 15:00:14 CDT 2003

VMware is cheaper and takes up less space then an entire test lab.


On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 14:49:12 -0500, john63401@yahoo.com wrote:

>I want to setup a test lab in my home..... for learning
>purposes naturally.
>
>I currently only have one PC at home.... a Dell 4100...
>512 meg ram.... 45 gig drive..... Win XP Pro..... 21"
>monitor.
>
>I was told that instead of buying more PCs.... that one
>could use VMWare and run "virtual" PCs.
>
>Is my current 4100 capable of running VMWare?
>
>If yes.... which is better and why? To run VMWare on
>ONE pc.... vs having say three "boxes"?
>
>Advice on what to buy or do?

billyw
Wed Jul 16 15:02:17 CDT 2003

if i was you i'd out a little more ram in the PC.

i use vmware quite a lot. it's handy for fault finding with different OS set
ups.
i have 3 PC's as a lab, all running vmware so giving me up to 10 machines.

it's a good tool

<john63401@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:lsabhvk59tiug42bspmahkj0ghjg05spaf@4ax.com...
> I want to setup a test lab in my home..... for learning
> purposes naturally.
>
> I currently only have one PC at home.... a Dell 4100...
> 512 meg ram.... 45 gig drive..... Win XP Pro..... 21"
> monitor.
>
> I was told that instead of buying more PCs.... that one
> could use VMWare and run "virtual" PCs.
>
> Is my current 4100 capable of running VMWare?
>
> If yes.... which is better and why? To run VMWare on
> ONE pc.... vs having say three "boxes"?
>
> Advice on what to buy or do?

john63401
Wed Jul 16 15:51:12 CDT 2003

>if i was you i'd out a little more ram in the PC.
>
>i use vmware quite a lot. it's handy for fault finding with different OS set
>ups.
>i have 3 PC's as a lab, all running vmware so giving me up to 10 machines.
>
>it's a good tool

OK

Im new to all this.

having said that would you say the above is as good as
a real test lab?

Or....how does the below above compare to using VMWare?

see linlk

>MCSE: Windows 2000 Core Requirements Virtual Lab aren't bad -
>
>http://www.bookpool.com/.x/r7nrcrh5k4/sm/0782150195

john63401
Wed Jul 16 15:54:07 CDT 2003

>if i was you i'd out a little more ram in the PC.
>
>i use vmware quite a lot. it's handy for fault finding with different OS set
>ups.
>i have 3 PC's as a lab, all running vmware so giving me up to 10 machines.
>
>it's a good tool

What version of VMWare should I buy?

Kevin
Wed Jul 16 16:18:10 CDT 2003

Hey,

You can download a 30 day eval copy from their website and try it out and
make sure you are comfortable with it. Haven't seen it sold at a discount
anywhere so buying it direct is probably the best way to go. I've used it
for years and it has been a great help in my cert studies.

http://www.vmware.com/download/workstation.html


Good luck,

Kevin

------------------

Kevin Bachelder

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) - Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) - Windows 2000
Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA)
CompTIA A+ Certified Computer Repair Technician (A+)

<john63401@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:frebhv4fnubivojlifj232nd04pcicnot2@4ax.com...
> >if i was you i'd out a little more ram in the PC.
> >
> >i use vmware quite a lot. it's handy for fault finding with different OS
set
> >ups.
> >i have 3 PC's as a lab, all running vmware so giving me up to 10
machines.
> >
> >it's a good tool
>
> What version of VMWare should I buy?

john63401
Wed Jul 16 17:04:53 CDT 2003

>Hey,
>
>You can download a 30 day eval copy from their website and try it out and
>make sure you are comfortable with it. Haven't seen it sold at a discount
>anywhere so buying it direct is probably the best way to go. I've used it
>for years and it has been a great help in my cert studies.
>
>http://www.vmware.com/download/workstation.html
>
>
>Good luck,
>
>Kevin

Thanks Kevin.... I will do that.

But Im guessing what Im unclear on is how can VMWare be
as useful as two or more real PCs?

I mean...... how can you put multiple NICs in one
machine running VMWare.....and do some of the things
you can with two real PCs?

I know that's a dumb question.... but Im confused
obliviously! Ha

billyw
Wed Jul 16 17:34:57 CDT 2003

try it.. it's basically like having 2 PC's in the one box
<john63401@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:lsibhvsvuf812q78piegt93q3nl1ppir15@4ax.com...
> >Hey,
> >
> >You can download a 30 day eval copy from their website and try it out and
> >make sure you are comfortable with it. Haven't seen it sold at a
discount
> >anywhere so buying it direct is probably the best way to go. I've used
it
> >for years and it has been a great help in my cert studies.
> >
> >http://www.vmware.com/download/workstation.html
> >
> >
> >Good luck,
> >
> >Kevin
>
> Thanks Kevin.... I will do that.
>
> But Im guessing what Im unclear on is how can VMWare be
> as useful as two or more real PCs?
>
> I mean...... how can you put multiple NICs in one
> machine running VMWare.....and do some of the things
> you can with two real PCs?
>
> I know that's a dumb question.... but Im confused
> obliviously! Ha

Kian
Wed Jul 16 18:07:14 CDT 2003

they emulate NIC, so if you go to your network connection, you'll see extra
LAN connection :D
its really a cool program

> I mean...... how can you put multiple NICs in one
> machine running VMWare.....and do some of the things
> you can with two real PCs?
>
> I know that's a dumb question.... but Im confused
> obliviously! Ha