What Virtual Machine software

[Shephard]

I want to try out some Linux operating systems. I don't got a hard drive for my old Core2Quad yet which was going to be a Linux mess around system.

Any suggestions?

 

[grimpr]

Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS & OpenSuse 12.3 KDE, both 64bit.

 

[Udgnim]

Oracle Virtual Box

I'm going to be messing around with Arch Linux soon

hardly a Linux expert or well versed in it, but I figured I'll learn a whole lot if I stick with Arch Linux

 

[Shephard]

I meant the Virtual Machine software. The only one I know of is Vmware. I am not familiar with these anyway.

 

[dkm777]

I use Virtual Box for a few years for such purposes and it rarely ever gave me problems. Also it's free.

 

[dealcorn]

In Linux, KVM has its advocates and it is supported in the kernel. I think that is why it scores well regarded performance. When Centerton arrives, I want to build a KVM playground using Debian. You can select your preference of cli or gui interfaces. From there, you have a stable platform that permits experimentation without breaking anything, a good learning environment.

 

[Shephard]

Ok so one for Virtual Box.

I guess I will try that out. People say VMware player is better.

 

[2is]

I use VMWare Player. It's also free. Not sure if it's better but it works for me.

 

[amenx]

Virtual Box has snapshots option. VMWare Player doesnt, or rather has 'suspend' just for the last state I believe. So VB is no brainer for me.

 

[Shephard]

Ok I will give Virtual Box a try first. I want to try different Linux OS like Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, and Arch. I want to see if I like them.

How many cores / ram / space do you guys dedicate to the OS? I was thinking 2 cores, 4gb of ram, and 20 gigs of space.

I have my 3570k, 8gb samsung golden, and 600gb free of hd space.

 

[pm]

Yeah, I'll add my vote for Virtual Box as well. I'm run Windows 7, Windows 8, Ubuntu and Snow Leopard on it and it's been fine. Rock solid, good performance. Make sure you install the Guest Additions once you get the OS installed.

I usually give it 2GB of RAM, I don't allocate cores (can you allocate cores?), and I use dynamic disk sizing.

 

[pauldun170]

I can't remember the details but remember comparos putting vmplayer ahead of virtual box for performance and video drivers.

I do like virtual box as there are quite a few ready to roll vm images out there.

For Linux VM's, sizing comes down to role.
For basic putzing around to check out a distro I'll use 4 cores, 4 gb ram and 40gb of space.
For vms dedicated to a server role then the sizing is based on role requirements....anywhere from dual core to quad core, 512mb ram to 8gb ram, default size vm player up to 80gb.
On VM player, it picks up what OS it is and automatically sets the sizing based on os requirements.
If you plan on running multiple vms at once, I would run each off their on drive especially if you are running them off platter based hard drive.

One of these days I'll give virtual box a try.

 

[amenx]

The good thing about linux in virtual machines is that it can work on very low resources. Depending on distro, anywhere from 256mb to 1gb of ram is usually enough, and 1-2 cores. Linux mint is probably the most user friendly to work in a VM, some distros you have to jump through hoops and barrels to get VB guest additions to install.

 

[Shephard]

I downloaded Virtual Box and Linux Mint is exactly the first one I want to try.

I will let you know if I get it installed right.