Windows 7 + virtual Server 2003?

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GJSNeptune

[H]F Junkie
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Mar 31, 2004
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Need some advice. I'm taking a Networking course that revolves around Server 2003 with XP being the main interface, and I'd like to be able to do lab assignments at home. I'm not sure what my options are though. I subscribe to TechNet, so I have the plethora of Server 2003 downloads available. I just downloaded Windows Server 2003 Enterprise with SP1 (assuming 32-bit).

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate x64. I already have Windows Virtual PC with XP Mode. Is it even possible to virtualize Server 2003 and interface it with virtualized XP? Or would I be able to use Windows 7 in much the same way? I have only one other computer, but it's my WHS box. I don't want to mess with it.

What can I do, if anything?
 
If you have XP mode, you already have Virtual PC. Just create a new VM and install Server 2003 in it. Since you're doing lab work, I would recommend not using the Virtual XP VM. Instead, create a new VM and install XP into it. That way you can do as much testing as you want without breaking you XP Mode (because you probably will break something during your testing!!).

You've already got the software on your PC... so use it. You're going to get a lot of posts like the one above telling you to use VMWare or Virtual box. In reality, what you're doing doesn't need that software. VirtualPC should work fine. If you were going to be doing something that was mission critical, it may not be the way to go -- but Virtual PC is already there and it will do what you want.
 
Never used the VMware Server before so cannot comment on that but VirtualBox is fairly easy to set up. Once you get the program installed, which is quick and easy, from there you start the OS installation of whatever you want to install and you are pretty much done.

Don't forget though, do a lot of snapshots so you don't have to worry about re-installing your OS again in the VM.
 
VirtualBox is definitely easier to use than VMWare Server, but VMWare tends to have more compatibility if you'll be downloading other VMs as well.

Personally, I use VirtualBox on main desktop and VMWare Server on my lab system.
 
I would say use VMWare Server, it is easy to setup, and works pretty well. I use that at home and at work.
 
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