Xen vs. VMWare (free server) and FC6

Linux31 · 11-22-2006, 11:31 AM

I'm running an AMD 3800+ on an Asus A8N-VM CSM MB and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations regarding Xen vs. WMWare? I have 3 must-have WIN2000 apps. Also, I'm a beginner with Linux with only a limited grasp of the CLI.

I've done a basic install of FC6. Would there be any extra libraries or files that I need before I start?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

macemoneta · 11-22-2006, 11:45 AM

Right now, VMWare server is the better answer for Windows applications. If you've done a basic install, you'll need a few items to get started with VMWare (as root):

Download and install the VMWare Server package from VMWare. Don't run the configuration tool yet.

Add the linux development tools:

Code:

yum groupinstall "Development Tools"

Add the Kernel headers:

Code:

yum install kernel-devel

Apply the latest VMWare patch:

Code:

wget http://ftp.cvut.cz/vmware/vmware-any-any-update105.tar.gz
tar xzf vmware-any-any-update105.tar.gz
cd vmware-any-any-update105
./runme.pl

Allow the 'runme.pl' above to replace files and run the VMWare configuration.

Linux31 · 11-23-2006, 06:31 AM

Thanks so much for the detailed help. I'll print it out and have it next to me when I take the leap.

jin01 · 09-26-2007, 06:33 AM

Is vmware still the better choice. I would like to run Windows XP in my box under Linux. I am currently running a setup with:

Operating systems: Fedora Core 6 with Windows XP in a dual boot senario.
Processors: 2-Intel Xeon (x86 family 15 model 2 stepping 5) 3.2GHz.
Memory: 4 Gb.
Video: Nvidia Quadro FX 1000

macemoneta · 09-26-2007, 09:20 AM

Yes, for ease of use and functionality, VMWare is still the better choice.

jin01 · 09-26-2007, 12:52 PM

Which version do I use when I have FC6? How do I download it with yum? Is the VMware Server possible on a system with my specification? Also I did a full install on FC6 originally. I did remove Xen. How do I check for the prequisites mentioned earlier?

jin01 · 09-26-2007, 03:18 PM

I ran the following commands. I thought I had development tools installed there are certainly many in the programming pull down menu. Is there another command used to check this prequisite?

[jnolo@station01 ~]$ su -
Password:
[root@station01 ~]# yum list "Development Tools"
Loading "installonlyn" plugin
Setting up repositories
livna 100% |=========================| 2.1 kB 00:00
core 100% |=========================| 1.1 kB 00:00
updates 100% |=========================| 1.2 kB 00:00
extras 100% |=========================| 1.1 kB 00:00
Reading repository metadata in from local files
primary.xml.gz 100% |=========================| 97 kB 00:00
livna : ################################################## 348/348
primary.xml.gz 100% |=========================| 1.8 MB 00:03
extras : ################################################## 5830/5830
[root@station01 ~]# yum list kernel-devel
Loading "installonlyn" plugin
Setting up repositories
Reading repository metadata in from local files
Available Packages
kernel-devel.i686 2.6.22.7-57.fc6 updates
kernel-devel.i586 2.6.22.7-57.fc6 updates
[root@station01 ~]#

Thanks

macemoneta · 09-27-2007, 11:12 PM

If you run the following, you will see "Development Tools" in the Installed Groups section. For example:

Code:

# yum grouplist
...
Installed Groups:   
   Office/Productivity
   Engineering and Scientific
   MySQL Database   
   Development Libraries
   Editors
   System Tools
   GNOME Software Development
   Text-based Internet
   Base for rpm.livna.org RPM-Repository
   X Software Development
   DNS Name Server  
   Xine
   Authoring and Publishing
   Hardware Support 
   Games and Entertainment
   Legacy Software Development
   Network Servers  
   X Window System  
   Graphics
   Web Server
   Printing Support 
   KDE (K Desktop Environment)
   Mail Server
   Server Configuration Tools
   Sound and Video  
   Administration Tools
   Development Tools
   MPlayer
   Graphical Internet
Available Groups:   
   Window Managers  
   XFCE Software Development
   Virtualization   
   Legacy Network Server
   GNOME Desktop Environment
   FTP Server
   Java Development 
   XFCE
   Web Development  
   Windows File Server
   Eclipse
   KDE Software Development
   Educational Software
   PostgreSQL Database
   News Server
Done

jin01 · 09-28-2007, 10:55 AM

Thanks, found it! Appreciate your help. Still learning.

jin01 · 09-28-2007, 10:57 AM

Oh, forgot to ask. If you had the choice would you update/install FC6 to FC7 prior to installing VMware?

macemoneta · 09-28-2007, 11:10 AM

Personally, I don't see any particular benefit to Fedora 7 over FC6. I was going to skip it and go to Fedora 8, released in November, though I'd wait until January for it to stabilize. After Fedora 8 is released, support for FC6 will be dropped. How you want to deal with that is up to your particular situation.

jin01 · 09-28-2007, 11:25 AM

Thanks for the info, I'll have to consider which to do.