running 4 virtual pcs on 1 pc?

[boots2k]

Intention = learn about active directory and networking.

Hardware I Own = 1 pc (2 gig ram & loads of hd space), many ethernet cards and cables, Virtual PC software.

I have no cash to buy other pcs.

I want to simulate having 4 pcs, ! of the Virtual pcs will have server 2003 and the other just clients.

Is this possible (using ethernet)?

cheers chaps.

[greenbrucelee]

I have a 4 OSes running on 1 PC using virtual PC. I am running server 2003, 2x XP pro, 1 ubuntu.

I have a C2D cpu running at 2.1GHz and 2GB ram.

I am not sure what you mean bu ethernet, you don't need any cables its all software based on 1 PC

[boots2k]

Sorry not making self clear.

I mean on one monitor having 4 seperate windows running 4 seperate virtual pcs at the same time.

I assumed that like with having 4 real pcs that used ethernet cables and pci cards you would also need to use many seperate ethernet cards in the same pc and cables.

cheers

[greenbrucelee]

do you mean you want 4 PCs linked to 1 monitor? if so you'll need a few switches or a big one.

if you mean you want to use virtual PC to have four operatings systems running at the same time then you just do what I said in my first post.

[boots2k]

so on one monitor I have 4 seperate windows, each running a virtual pc and they can comunicate as though they were connected like real pcs with ethernet cards/cables.

In other words I can simulate having a network with 1 pc?

thanks

[greenbrucelee]

yes, all you do is load up the operatings system onto the VPC console as you would on a proper PC. Next you select the network option (can't remember what its called) on the console and link them all together then you configure server 2003 to talk to the other OS's it's quite simple once you get used to it.

[boots2k]

dude i am on the case now.

LOL, I have just left a 5 year relationship (partly) cus I couldnt do the tech stuff I wanted (including having many pcs linked in the house to learn about networks). Now I learn I dont need many pcs to do it. LOL...

STILL LAUGHING

cheers chap

out and on a mission

Simon

[greenbrucelee]

bad news buddy. VPC is pretty simple once you get used to it. Vmware is supposed to be better I'll be experimenting with Vmware in the future.

good luck with the studies.

[Crito]

Give VirtualBox a try too. And if you run Linux then Xen and KVM (kernel-based virtual machine, not a keyboard/video/mouse switch) are additional options.

Here's a screenshot of VirtualBox running ReactOS, an XP clone.
Here's a screenshot of KVM running two different versions of Windows Server 2003

[Phoenix]

And if your bored try set up ESX ;)

[Crito]

... and of course, virtualization is built into Windows Server 2008. It'll even run/manage ESX VMs, so there's really no need for anything else, unless you just like burning cash.