Important Things 1999

I had tested several virtul machine softwares to find one I could use for working in it.

First, I tested VMware Workstation, and gave up for its big body and slowly startup.  I have used it for a long time in Windows and Linux host, so it’s the first one I tested and gave up.

Then, I tested VirtualBox, it’s cool, beautiful and simple and thin, I thought that I have found a candidate.

Last, Parellels workstation, it also works, but it used 2 hours to install Windows XP SP2, others used less than 1 hour.

All of above test under the host of Windows XP, and just installed OS, no other software.

Boot procedure, VirtulBox seemed more faster.

Because I want using Linux host, there is still another one on my list, Xen.

After successfully installed Ubuntu V8.0.4, Xen was the first one to be install on Ubuntu. When rebooted, I was dejected because there were so many Xen parameters shown in boot procedure screen. I just want a virtual machine to run MS Outlook, it’s too complicated for me.

VirtualBox seemed to be the best one, so MS office was installed on virtual machine copied from NTFS volumn. rebooted, login, run MS Office, discouraged. MS office was running so slowly, nobody can bear it.

No other choose, VMware workstation again. Copy VMware virtual machine files from NTFS partition, login, install MS office, run Outlook, it’s OK. A little slowly in first 10 minutes, after that, seemed working normally, but fan was running with loud sound all the time(Other reason, in future I’ll explain).

VMware virtual machine configuration: 512MB, 2CPU, 8GB HD(Dynamic), Sound Card, Bridged Nework, USB2.0, VMware Tools.

Software on VMware virtual machine: MS Office, CISCO VPN, Google Dictionary, Google Input–just for Email with Outlook.

BTW, only one CPU can be set on VirutalBox, Parellels during my test, but VMware Workstation can used two.

VMware player is another choice to run VMware virtual machine. It’s free.

Result:

1. There are still 3 virtual machines in my Windows XP: VMware(for ESX3i test), VirtualBox, Parallels

2. Only one virtual machine in my Ubuntu: VMware, for work

3. To show how fast and convenience with virtual machine, I used all of them. To work in it, I think VMware is the best one, although I have given up.