Virtualization

BallsOfSteel · 05-13-2008, 06:07 PM

What is the best software for virtualization?

I tried using VirtualBox OSE, but it was asking for .vdi hard disk images. I want to be able to load CD/DVD's or .iso files that I download. What software is best?

I'm running Ubuntu 8.04, up-to-date.

Thanks,

Brandon

phil.d.g · 05-13-2008, 06:23 PM

Qemu and KVM fit my requirements, and I haven't found anything that works better for me. I run Arch on the host and have Windows XP and Vista, Arch, Slackware, and Ubuntu. Planning on creating more guests for Fedora 9 and the latest OpenSuSE when I get chance to download them.

tekkieman · 05-14-2008, 04:30 PM

VirtualBox loads CDs/DVDs/ISOs just fine. The vdi it is asking for is the virtual hard disc you create when setting up a new image. If you only intend to load from the CD or an ISO, create a small generic vdi and don't worry about it. Then, configure the CD/DVD (optionally selecting to load an ISO), and VB will boot from the CD/ISO. If you intend to install from the CD/ISO, configure the vdi (virtual hard disc) according to what you think you need for space.

I just tried it myself, and you can get away without defining a vdi at all. You will get a message saying the image won't boot without a defined boot drive, but once the image is created (with no vdi), select the CD/ISO in the CD/DVD settings, and in the General settings under the Advanced tab, select just the CD in the boot order.

SilverGold · 12-29-2008, 02:15 PM

I would like to know the answer to that question!

I am planning to move on to Linux as my desktop OS but I want to play games! Because there is no DirectX in Linux I cannot play games therefore I will make myself a virtual machine. Now ... the question is: Which software is the fastest one? I want to use my Guest OS (That would be WinXP) at native or near native speed!

So ... between VMWare, VirtualBox, Parallels and QEMU ... which would run my Guest OS at native or near native speed?

farslayer · 12-29-2008, 03:08 PM

Forget gaming in a virtual system. performance will be pathetic, you will have NO access to true hardware 3D acceleration, possible simulated 3D support in the near future. you would be better off with a Multiboot PC runnig Windows and whatever Linux/BSD/other you prefer.

Or look into Linux gaming, there are a LOT of native games on Linux these days, and commercial games with Linux ports. (search these forums for lists of games in Linux), and Cedega will allow you to run a lot of Windows Games on a Linux system.

for your final question.. NONE OF THE ABOVE