Need help understanding Virtualization Software

[theEmbark]

Hey guys,

I need some help understanding how virtualization software works.

Here's my extent of knowledge:
On my macs I run VMware in order to access win 7 for various reasons.

What I am trying to understand is whether you can install virtualization software as the actual operating system.

So on machine 'X' instead of installing win 7 I could install the virtualization software as the OS and then run win 7 inside that machine.

Is this possible? If so any suggestions on software? Can it be installed on machines slated as 'servers' that won't take a normal OS?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[cdabc123]

what will you be doing in the vms? what is your computer specs?

 

[theEmbark]

Just running it as a slave to my main machine for audio production. It would be used for something running virtual instruments.

The machine is an old hp Liant pro ml350 G5.
32gb ddr2 ram
Dual Xeon 54xx

The other option would be to put together a newer Xeon machine but if I can utilize this hp servers I would be very happy.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[sadboyzz]

Short answer is yes. What you're looking for are so called "type-1" hypervisors, which runs on the bare metal, as opposed to "type-2" hypervisors, which must run on a host operating system. Common type-1 hypervisors include Xen, VMware ESXi, Hyper-V. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypervisor#Classification

Keep in mind that just like operating systems, type-1 hypervisors are limited in what hardware platforms they support. You have to make sure your hardware meets the requirements of the hypervisor you intend to install.

 

[cdabc123]

Just running it as a slave to my main machine for audio production. It would be used for something running virtual instruments.

The machine is an old hp Liant pro ml350 G5.
32gb ddr2 ram
Dual Xeon 54xx

The other option would be to put together a newer Xeon machine but if I can utilize this hp servers I would be very happy.

Thanks,
Kevin

ok take a look at proxmox its free and should do everything you need

 

[theEmbark]

Thanks guys! I will look into this more.

 

[McHenryB]

If you just want to run the one OS - Windows - why bother with the extra layer of virtualization?

 

[theEmbark]

These systems won't run regular win 7 just server versions. I actually got win 7 on it but there aren't any drivers available.

 

[McHenryB]

Normally Windows 2008 drivers will work with Windows 7, but if yours won't I guess virtualization is the answer. VMWare's VSpere is worth looking at. It's free and I believe it supports Windows 7 clients.

http://www.vmware.com/uk/products/vsphere-hypervisor/

 

[cdabc123]

Normally Windows 2008 drivers will work with Windows 7, but if yours won't I guess virtualization is the answer. VMWare's VSpere is worth looking at. It's free and I believe it supports Windows 7 clients.

http://www.vmware.com/uk/products/vsphere-hypervisor/

windows 2008 and vista drivers are interchangeable
windows 2008 r2 and 7 are interchangable
window 2012 and 8
windows 2012 r2 and 8.1
windows 2016 and 10
windows 2003 and xp

 

[theEmbark]

Here's a link to the server and available OS drivers http://h20564.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/swd/public/readIndex?sp4ts.oid=1123563
Windows 2000 is the only non server Windows OS

 

[cdabc123]

it has 2008 r2 which should work just fine on 7

 

[theEmbark]

Aw I didn't realize that! I will give that a try when I get home.

Thank you!
Kevin