Can you install two OS on a dual-core computer (one OS on each CPU core?)

kushalkoolwal · 10-16-2008, 04:36 PM

I have been using Linux (Debian) for past 4 years on a 32-bit (single core CPU) machine. Now I got machine which was the Intel's Dual core CPU. I have heard (somewhere) that it is possible to install two Operating Systems, one on each core? For example, Debian is installed on Core 1 and Fedora is installed on Core 2? Is that really possible.

Note: I am not talking about the Dual-booting scenario which is very common.

Thanks

BrianK · 10-16-2008, 04:54 PM

Only through some virtualizer like VMWare, AFAIK.

While there are two cores, there's only one bus, one set of RAM, one graphics card, etc. etc. etc.

not sure why you'd even want to do this, but... I don't think it's possible - at least not the way you're asking about.

syg00 · 10-16-2008, 04:56 PM

No - too much common hardware.
Sounds like you want a virtual solution - you could set it up so each has one core, but:
- you can't guarantee any guest will always run on the same engine
- it won't run uninterrupted

But then you would be hard-pressed to be able to tell.

i92guboj · 10-16-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kushalkoolwal

I have been using Linux (Debian) for past 4 years on a 32-bit (single core CPU) machine. Now I got machine which was the Intel's Dual core CPU. I have heard (somewhere) that it is possible to install two Operating Systems, one on each core? For example, Debian is installed on Core 1 and Fedora is installed on Core 2? Is that really possible.

Note: I am not talking about the Dual-booting scenario which is very common.

Thanks

Another "no".

It doesn't work that way. The cores work cooperatively, and there's only one machine. You can dual boot as always, you can run a given OS, and another into a virtual machine, but you can't run both OSes on the same real hardware at the same time. You can definitely forget about that idea.

kushalkoolwal · 10-16-2008, 06:18 PM

OK that's what I thought so that it is not possible to have two real systems running.

Some of you guys mentioned about Virtual/Guest OS. What are some of the methods available (in Debian) by which I can achieve that.

I would like to keep my Debian as the primary (actual) OS and other (say Fedora) as guest OS.

drchuck · 10-16-2008, 08:28 PM

Easiest approach to running a virtual machine is to install the free VMware player http://vmware.com/products/player/. You can the download any of a large number of virtual appliances, with the OS of your choice already installed in the VM. It's like a live CD, only better as you can customize and update to your hearts content. The VM lives in a file on the host's filesystem. The guest has network access, and can share the host's disk partitions. Much superior to dual booting.

makyo · 10-17-2008, 05:50 AM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kushalkoolwal

...
Some of you guys mentioned about Virtual/Guest OS. What are some of the methods available (in Debian) by which I can achieve that.

I would like to keep my Debian as the primary (actual) OS and other (say Fedora) as guest OS.

I use Debian etch as a host in a VMWare-server setup. Currently I have about 20 guest OSs available. However, I rarely run more than 6 simultaneously due to CPU and memory limitations.

A general reference for comparison is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...rtual_machines

A more detailed comparison of 4 methods is at http://www.techthrob.com/tech/linux_virtualization.php

The best set of HowTo articles I have found is at http://www.howtoforge.com/howtos

Best wishes ... cheers, makyo

i92guboj · 10-17-2008, 05:57 AM

vmware and virtualbox are probably the easiest to use.

But there are many more: qemu, xen, bochs...