Can I use VMWARE (the newest) on a windows machine to start up Linux? Do I get the proper and correct environment?

It is very important for me that I get the exact environment.

thanks for any help in advance

Yes but

Why you want to start Linux that way ?????

I work with software testing and support. I need to start a new environment for each customer so that I can help them throught installation of tomcat, apache and our engine.

Then I need a way to get the same environment I had with each customer when they are upgrading or configuring their systems. I have only one computer (powerful) and I work with all windows operating systems, redhat, suse and mandrake systems and also MAC (is not available for emulation).

I need the same system and environment as the customer has and with ghost/PQDI I cannot compare different systems with each other at the same time

//Kaktus

With these conditionants yes, VMWare can be the choice.

Thank you...

im using vmware the other way around running under linux rh8 and run windows from rh8

It makes more sense using Linux as host OS

Does it? I think it depends on what kind of computers the company you work for has. I cannot choose what operating system I shall have at my desk. Also with linux I cannot use all the products my company releases. And at last, if I am a beginner with linux but a fairly good expert with Windows how can I tell my company to supply a linux machine for me. For having as "workstation". Takes me a whole lot of time to learn, will my company pay for that? Still cannot test all product that my company releases on linux..

My opinion was based on technical considerations, normally at companies the OS to be used is imposed by the IT policies at that company, most employees can't decide. That's my case, I have to use Windows at my corporate desktop.

Finidi..

I am sorry for that.. but since I am a beginner I still prefer Windows, but I learn more and more every day so perhaps in the future....

Kaktus,
of course all will be done when it have to be done !!!

My experience with Linux came long in time, I was trying kernel 0.99 in 1993 ! ... but for years I was immerse like many many other IT professionals in the M$ religion. XP was the final touch to not take that road anymore, if depends on me.

I feel all the M$ mitology is falling down -- look at the last Bill's move to "open" Windows source code. He's starting to feel the breathing of a penguin !