Linux Enterprise server or desktop

[tontod]

I'm deciding to upgrade, and taking a different route (I got a windows xp machine atm). I am looking to get a Dell Optiplex 960, install Redhat Enterprise, and with VMware server, install multiple OS's as VM's. I'm going to get 4-6 GB of RAM, configured with a 3.0 Ghz quad-core CPU. Will the Linux Enterprise desktop be sufficient, or should I go with server?

 

[Nothinman]

I actually don't know what the technical differences are but if you want RHEL compatibility I'd just go with no OS and install CentOS. If you don't need RHEL compatibility grab Ubuntu, Debian, SuSE or whatever.

 

[tfinch2]

If this is specifically for virtualization, why use hosted? You should use ESXi.

 

[tontod]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
If this is specifically for virtualization, why use hosted? You should use ESXi.

I intend on using this as my primary machine and trying out different OS'es. I think ESXi is somewhat expensive and may be overkill. Isnt ESXi meant more for datacenters or businesses with VM's in the double digits?

 

[tontod]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
I actually don't know what the technical differences are but if you want RHEL compatibility I'd just go with no OS and install CentOS. If you don't need RHEL compatibility grab Ubuntu, Debian, SuSE or whatever.

What is RHEL compatibility? Sorry for my lack of knowledge.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: tontod


What is RHEL compatibility?

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: tontod

Originally posted by: tfinch2
If this is specifically for virtualization, why use hosted? You should use ESXi.

I intend on using this as my primary machine and trying out different OS'es. I think ESXi is somewhat expensive and may be overkill. Isnt ESXi meant more for datacenters or businesses with VM's in the double digits?

ESXi is free.

 

[tontod]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: tontod

Originally posted by: tfinch2
If this is specifically for virtualization, why use hosted? You should use ESXi.

I intend on using this as my primary machine and trying out different OS'es. I think ESXi is somewhat expensive and may be overkill. Isnt ESXi meant more for datacenters or businesses with VM's in the double digits?

ESXi is free.

Ah ok, I just checked it out. So what is the difference between ESXi and Server? Both are free.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: tontod

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: tontod

Originally posted by: tfinch2
If this is specifically for virtualization, why use hosted? You should use ESXi.

I intend on using this as my primary machine and trying out different OS'es. I think ESXi is somewhat expensive and may be overkill. Isnt ESXi meant more for datacenters or businesses with VM's in the double digits?

ESXi is free.

Ah ok, I just checked it out. So what is the difference between ESXi and Server? Both are free.

VMware Server runs on top of a host OS. ESXi is the OS.

It is basically a trade off between compatibility and performance.

 

[Nothinman]

It is basically a trade off between compatibility and performance.

You mean usability and performance, ESXi is just for running VMs.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: tontod
I'm deciding to upgrade, and taking a different route (I got a windows xp machine atm). I am looking to get a Dell Optiplex 960, install Redhat Enterprise, and with VMware server, install multiple OS's as VM's. I'm going to get 4-6 GB of RAM, configured with a 3.0 Ghz quad-core CPU. Will the Linux Enterprise desktop be sufficient, or should I go with server?

Buy a cheap Dell 530 or 518 desktop - Inspiron, I think, is the model lineup name. Buy the 2.4 ghz quad core version; it might run $500 or so.

Add 8GB of RAM.
Add a few 1.5TB drives.
Turn on RAID in the BIOS, but don't RAID the drives together or do anything else.
Install ESXi (free edition).
Install your VMs at will.....


It's the perfect cheap home setup, and it's _wonderful_.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

It is basically a trade off between compatibility and performance.

You mean usability and performance, ESXi is just for running VMs.

No, I mean compatibility. The hypervisor will run on whatever the host runs on.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: tontod
I'm deciding to upgrade, and taking a different route (I got a windows xp machine atm). I am looking to get a Dell Optiplex 960

For only a few VMs in a home environment, basically any Intel chipset machine made in the last year or so with C2D CPU will more than suffice; they're now being given away in yourcity.craigslist.com if you care to look. Otherwise, a Dell quad-core Inspiron 530 or 518 is a cheap, excellent choice, mostly differentiated by PCIe power supply being there (or not, in the case of a 518).

In my ESXi environment, it's unusual that I'll use more than 2400 mhz of the (2400x4) 9600 mhz that my quad-core CPU gives me. That's with 4-5 VMs going....

 

[sourceninja]

If you plan to use the linux machine as a desktop then run some vm's on it. I would use virtualbox. If you plan on just hosting operating systems, I'd use xenserver or esxi.