The VM Thread

[[XC]thewildblue]

Here is a quick guide on getting started.

Thewildblues VMware Quickstart Guide


Once you have installed VMware, start up the program and you will be presented with the following screen. From Here select create new Virtual machine.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37341
Now select typical
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37342&stc=1



Now choose you operating system of choice. Lets go with 2000 pro for the moment.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37343&stc=1

We now choose the name and location for our VMware OS.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37344&stc=1

You are now presented with your networking choice. For standard use I always use bridged.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37345&stc=1

You are now asked to specify the size to allocate. I choose 1gb as Im a tight arse. Ive never bothered with allocate now as Im too impatient to wait. It is tight on 1gb though.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37346&stc=1



Hey presto you nearly ready to go. Now double click memory to specify the amount for your virtual machine. When installing an OS I usually give as much as possible as it takes less time.
Once the machine is all installed you can tune it from there.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37347&stc=1



Its as easy as this to allocate memory, just move the slider or enter the number.

I have found that I can run as low as 32mb for windows 2000.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37348&stc=1

Next double click CDROM. This is where you can choose you device of choice (if you have more than one drive) or instead choose an ISO image to install from. Once done click ok.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37349&stc=1


You are now ready to power up your virtual machine. Install your OS as per normal.

Once you click inside your virtual machine you are locked in there. To release the cursor press ctrl and alt together. Once you have installed your OS you can then install VMtools from the VM menu, install VMtools.

VMtools allows you to move around without the need to press ctrl alt to release the cursor.

To enter ctrl alt delete to log in you now use ctrl alt insert to login to a virtual machine.

Once you have created you VM machine go to the folder and copy all the files to a new folder.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37350&stc=1

Now start up this V machine and you are prompted if you want to create a new ID, select yes and also remember to rename the network name and IP address so it wont conflict with your previous machine. Once this has been done you can power up the original. You can repeat this as much as your machine can handle.

One thing to remember if you have specified a low disk space allocation, remember to adjust the swap file size accordingly as otherwise it will exceed disk space pretty quick due to having a swap file for say 256mb of ram. Also feel free to turn off as many unneccessay services as possible.

I wouldn’t install Dimes until the last moment on each as otherwise you will have say 3 machines with all the same Dimes ID, which I don’t thinks helps the points. Remember each dimes client will consume more bandwidth.



In order to create quick copies of newly installed VMs use the clone command, located here
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39951

Select from current state, rather than snapshot.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39952
Now create a linked clone, this requires the original, but that shouldnt be too much of an issue.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39952
Now name, this can be whatever you choose.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39954
It should now appear on your VM list. This can be done numerous times as required.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39955


The thing to do next is disconnect the network card before booting each VM as otherwise you will have IP conflicts on your network and also name problems. This can be done by right clicking in the bottom right of the VM on the NIC and select disconnect. Make your changes reboot and then enable the same way.

[[XC]thewildblue]

Memory recommendations for OS.

For Windows 2000 Pro I have had successful VMs run Dimes with as little as 40mb, This means that on an XP box with 256mb you can run about 3 separate VMs, as long as this is all the box does.

For Windows XP I would recommend a minimum of 96mb, I havent tried any lower as yet and I mostly use 2000 as it has less overheads.

There is some talk of nlite working well but I will investigate this further.

Any additions to this please let me know.

[[XC] moddolicous]

Nice guide. I can vouch for 64mb working on a nlited xp disc. As far as hard drive space goes, both of my vmwares only use ~700mb.

[[XC]thewildblue]

Could you PM me some info on the nlite stuff, as Iwouldnt mind finding out more and then I will add to the guide. Cheers

[[XC] moddolicous]

Has anyone had an error like this?
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3594/problem4tn.png

[Haltech]

What version of VM ware are you using? I use 4.5 and have no issues across the board with running it on both a Winxp and Win2K boxen.

[[XC] moddolicous]

The new one (workstation 5?). Do u have a link for 4.5?

[InSanCen]

I've had no probs with version 5.summat (Can't be bothered to look)

2K is a touch smaller footprint, so I tend to use that

[[XC]thewildblue]

These are all with version 5. Modd, I would try a new download and re-install, maybe de-click the rig slightly. Also what does the log say in it ? That might shed some light.

[demonR6]

Now why the heck can I not clone, I don't have that option as listed above.. hmm.

[[XC]thewildblue]

Have u tried shutting down a client first then selecting clone ?

[demonR6]

Yes.. I rebooted after installing VM. I have a habit of rebooting and defragging after I install or remove any programs on my computer.. old habit I guess?

EDIT: I am installing VMware Tools.. wondering if that has anything to do with it.

[[XC]thewildblue]

What version are you running ? Also have u tried a defrag of the VM....supposed to make a difference....never tried ti myself.

[demonR6]

No, I have not tried defragging the VM but now that you mention it, it cannot hurt to try. I am using version 4.5.

[demonR6]

nm.

[[XC] moddolicous]

Has anyone tried the linux version (instead of windows?). I'm gonna give it a try tomorrow. I never got linux to work, and I'm gonna try tomorrow.

[Haltech]

My linux skills suck major ass.. But if you can figure it out, im sure you will have better output.

[[XC] moddolicous]

From linux?! I dont know. I'll try it on a vmware tomorrow on my brother's comp. Do u by any chance know if BSD will work on a linux version?

[[XC] DragonOrta]

When you select the Guest Operating System, you can select FreeBSD under Other, if that's what you're wondering about.

[[XC]thewildblue]

Ive ran a few linux VMs, SUSE runs lovely, also things like knoppix and damm small work ok. Seems some of the bigger nix distros have built in VM driver support for Video and Nic.

There is also a linux version out there that allows you to run Windows within your nix distro.

[[XC] moddolicous]

Alright then. I'll try setting one up today with linux when I get home. I'll try one of the live install ones first (like Suse) then I'll work my way up to Gentoo.

[RocKer]

Can somebody give me a link to VMware to download,becaus when i go here (http://www.vmware.com/download/ws/) the want to know alot of stuff,why is that and do i have to pay for it,can't i dl it from another place.

Or is there an other way to get the vmware.

[[XC]thewildblue]

Yes its pay for software Im afraid. They do a 30 dya trial version I think.

[RocKer]

Then i am afraid its a no go for vmware for me.

[demonR6]

I have VM installed and multiple OS'es set up but the network is killing me. I cannot seem to get over the hurdle of connecting to the network on any of the VMs. I did not see anything of use in the how-to so I have hit the wall. Normally I can work my way through these things but this is new ground for me. I am on broadband (RoadRunner).. if someone can shoot me a line and give me a hand, I can get some more work cranked out for us.

[InSanCen]

Try using NAT instead of a bridged network Demon. Works fine for me, never have ANY problems with reagrd to netowrking, even over wireless.

[demonR6]

Should I select NAT on the set up then or can I switch to NAT afterwards?

[InSanCen]

Dunno, I've always selected it on startup

[[XC] moddolicous]

did u install vmware tools? I forgot to do that and I finally thought of it.

[demonR6]

Works now. I just have to figue out the details for the firewall and what not now. The network is slow as balls now. I got Dimes loaded up but my internet connection through that is running like molasses. I have 782 up and 10 mbit down and it is crawling.

[Haltech]

You need to run bridged in order to get the bandwidth off the primary VM Server. Thats why its slow.. You are running static IPs i hope?

[[XC] moddolicous]

How do u know if you are running static ip's??

[Haltech]

Well, i know because on my router, DHCP is disabled and plug in manually, the ip address i want the adapter to have, the submask, gateway and the dns's.

If youre running DHCP, it can make a hell of a mess on a VM server.

[demonR6]

You need to run bridged in order to get the bandwidth off the primary VM Server. Thats why its slow.. You are running static IPs i hope?

I think RoadRunner assigns them.. Problem I was having is it sees duplicates on the network and then I am stuck and none of the connections work. The NAT worked but slow as balls connection. If I could figure out how to fix my IP mess on bridged, I would be creating havoc. As it is I am only running one client on two machines and I am clocking 6000+ per day. If I could get VM working and five or six more clients up, we would be handing them their heads on a plate.

[Haltech]

I think RoadRunner assigns them.. Problem I was having is it sees duplicates on the network and then I am stuck and none of the connections work. The NAT worked but slow as balls connection. If I could figure out how to fix my IP mess on bridged, I would be creating havoc. As it is I am only running one client on two machines and I am clocking 6000+ per day. If I could get VM working and five or six more clients up, we would be handing them their heads on a plate.

Ok, you have a router connected to your modem, correct? If youre not running a router and god knows why you wouldnt, you need to go in manually on eacg VM client, and change the IP scheme.. Like i said, DHCP wreaks havoc on a VM Setup.

[demonR6]

Nope, it all runs through a broadband router.. I don't think RoadRunner gives a crap about how many IPs I have because at the moment I have three rigs online. The 24/7 Dimes rig has been running without a hitch and is the newest in the network. The secondary "stay away from my computer, use that p.o.s." is on 24/7 as well and running Dimes. My main rig is not 24/7 but Dimes is on when I am using it.. no network conflicts.

As I sit here and ponder what I just said, I have a eerie feeling like something is going to hit the fan on my network and make me regret that statement. LOL

[Haltech]

Go into the routers settings and disable the DHCP server.. Than you can set your IP Scheme, Gateway, Submask and DNS manually.

[faruquehabib]

i got vmware 5.0, a win server 2k3 and 2 clones of it (3 vm's total) running with dimes, but dimes shuts down on those vm's after like 5 minutes...wtf mate?

[demonR6]

Go into the routers settings and disable the DHCP server.. Than you can set your IP Scheme, Gateway, Submask and DNS manually.

Unfortunately my broadband router doesn't let me get in to it for some reason. I tried the 192.168.0.1 method and no dice. Will look on the site to see if there is another way in.

[Haltech]

Unfortunately my broadband router doesn't let me get in to it for some reason. I tried the 192.168.0.1 method and no dice. Will look on the site to see if there is another way in.

Every router does.. Tell me what kind of router and model #

did you try 192.168.1.1

[demonR6]

D-Link DI-614+

[Haltech]

Open IE.. type in 192.168.0.1

Thats the default IP address of the router unless you changed it. If you cant remember, there a reset button on the backside of the router next to the WAN port.. Reset it..

the above is the default IP.. Login is ADMIN and PW is blank, dont enter anything.

[RocKer]

I have a Q.

Is it possible to run vm's of Dimes and D2OL together on a A64 with 512mb ram and plenty of hd space.

Also i have a PII 200mhz with 128mb ram running D2OL,but it produces only 5 cans p/d,so that's pretty poor,but i think,maybe its better to run a few dime vm's on it,how many you think i can run on it,or is it a game of change,maybe i get 4 or 5 vm's on,i give it a try in the weekend,did'nt have any time this week.

I dl the 55mb,thks Haltech :toast: .

[Helheim]

I don't think you'll gain anything running D2OL on a vm. Just run it on the main rig.

[[XC] moddolicous]

Yea, I agree with hellheim, unless you have a xeon or an x2. Then you could use one install for one core, install vmware, theninstall another d2ol on the vmware so it uses the second cpu. For xeon, you would do that twice.

[[XC] moddolicous]

Alright, I got a question. When I clone a vmware, do I have to change the name, or will it work under the name of the other one. Also, is there anyway I can get rid of it using the floppy drive? I uncheckde the connect on start up, but is that all I have to do?

[Fitz Goran]

Also, is there anyway I can get rid of it using the floppy drive? I uncheckde the connect on start up, but is that all I have to do?

You should be able to "remove" the floppy drive from the device list when you are in the "Virtual Machine Control Panel".

[[XC] moddolicous]

Nah, dont worry. I just got rid of the connect on power and it worked. Got another 2vm's going on each comp. BTW, my machine progress (AMD K6-2 500mhz with modded cooler that runs 27c @ full load) just got another 128mb ram. 64+128=192. How many vm's for fuly dedicated?

[[XC] moddolicous]

Just a hint: go to run, msconfig, and check diagnostic startup. Then go to services and kepp network connections and vmware tools. Then, go to start-up, and keep dimes, jusched, and vmware tray. click apply, and close, restart, and you vm should be using ~61mb of ram.

[[XC] moddolicous]

OK, I dont think it works. Output is gonna be LOW today.

[RocKer]

I have try'd to get VM working but no bannana,i can not install the small xp,it asks for driveA(floppy)but i directed to the cd-rom drive but for some reson it will not install,it allways keeps asking for driveA:mad:,i dont understand it,i try'd for 3 days but it keeps asking for driveA,anybody got an idea.

[[XC] DragonOrta]

try removing it in the virtual machine's settings. That's what I've always done, because there is no use having a floppy drive.

[[XC] moddolicous]

Yea, go to home, then click on the drive A thing, and uncheck the connect at start up.

[[XC] DragonOrta]

or there is a remove button along the bottom of the window, that's what I always do.

[Haltech]

Once i got the VM machine up and running, ill remove the audio, usb, cd and floppy.. If you leave them installed, they actually use resources.

[[XC] moddolicous]

Ok, 2 questions: How do you remove the floppy usb all that stuff, and has anyone used vmware on a K6-2? When I try to load it, it says that you need a i686 compatible processor.

[Haltech]

Ok, 2 questions: How do you remove the floppy usb all that stuff, and has anyone used vmware on a K6-2? When I try to load it, it says that you need a i686 compatible processor.

Power off the VM.. then goto EDIT VM.. only thing i keep is the hd, ram and ethernet. all the other bs gets axed. If youre using VM Ware 5.0, i suggest making a team. This way, one click and they all power on for you with a delay if you like.

[[XC] moddolicous]

Thanks haltech. Also, if I'm installing linux and it asks to format, it only applies to the vmware, right?

[InSanCen]

If the format dialog box is within the VMWare main window then yep.

Just make sure you have assigned space first. I found that the formatting routine trying to juggle space on you HD within VM can be flakey... Lost a partition (Got it back though)

I always use Partition Magic (Damn good investment), to create a space beforehand (Non-formatted), applicable to what I'm doing... 200MB usually does it for a Stripped Down DIMES install

[Jeff]

Excellent guide thewildblue!!! :toast: Just fooling around with VM and used your guide to get my feet wet. Pretty cool concept.

[[XC]thewildblue]

Thanks Jeff. Hope you get your VMs setup nicely.

On a side note has anyone else found that a clone of a VM to time out after a certain period as I have a couple of 2000pro installs on Vm 5.5 that are reporting a certain number of days available.

Woot just noticed 1000th post !

[Jeff]

Damn you twb... it's all your fault... I just ordered 4Gb of RAM because of you!!! ;)

Now I just have to start DIMIN' for XS.org. :eek: ;)

[faruquehabib]

Damn you twb... it's all your fault... I just ordered 4Gb of RAM because of you!!! ;)

Now I just have to start DIMIN' for XS.org. :eek: ;)

[playing iron man]yes! we're gonna be #1!![/playing iron man]

[Jeff]

Iron Man... I knew there was a reason I liked you Jesse! :)

:toast:

(Hopefully I won't regret this purchase in the morning... been hitting the "Holiday Cheer" while wrapping an un-Godly amount of presents this evening...) ;)

[[XC] moddolicous]

I hope one of those presents is for me Jeff. Lol. So you are definetly gonna help dime for xs?? (What would the verb be?? D2OL & FaD was fold/crunch, but since dimes doesnt use cpu power, what would the verb be? Dime?)

[[XC]thewildblue]

Be glad to have you back onboard again Jeff. With 4 GB thats alot of VMs.

I dont mind being blamed, as long as your wife doesnt know it was my fault......lol

With your current score that would drop you in at 7th on the Team just below modd.

[[XC] moddolicous]

I got a question: What do I need to isntall vmware tools? For some reason it wont install. Its Windows XP Professional and I deleted unnecesary stuff using nlite. Maybe I got rid of 1 too many things.

[[XC] DragonOrta]

I noticed the time out too, TWB. I've been trying to get some DSL VMs going, but does anyone know how to make clones with VMXWizard and VMPlayer?

[[XC] moddolicous]

Has anyone figured out how to run Vmware on a k6-2?? They say that it doesnt support it.

[Haltech]

I have a stack of K6-2's and even a K6-3 but no MB for them. I dont see why it wouldnt support it. Maybe they dont support the 3Dnow! instructions on the K6. Have you bothered to install VM on it yet?

[[XC] moddolicous]

I tried once, but I did it fast so maybe I can change something. Heres the link to where it says it doesnt support it:
http://www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=967

[[XC] moddolicous]

Alright, on your vm, do you run logical disk manager?? I turned off most of the stuff I thought I could and I still get ~60mb used. I think logical diskmanager uses alot, so I think disabling that would greatly help. BTW, I finally got a win install to fit under 600mb:D

[[XC] moddolicous]

I'm not the only one that runs vmware. Do you guys run logical diskmanager or not??

[Bloody_Sorcerer]

i only run VMWare player, which has no such options :)

[[XC] moddolicous]

In windows I mean. In windows, there is a service called logical disk manager. Go to run and type services.msc. It will show what services are running. All logical disk manager does is optimize the hard drive when idle, so I think its useless, but I wanna get someone elses opinion first.

[Bloody_Sorcerer]

mine isn't even running so i doubt it matters...

[[XC]thewildblue]

I will have to give that a try thanks for the heads up modd.

[[XC] moddolicous]

If any of you guys are gonna install SP2 or get an RAE error, here is the fix for it:
http://www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1539

[[XC] moddolicous]

I will have to give that a try thanks for the heads up modd.
No prob TWB. BTW, if I press Alt+CTRL+DEL in the vmware, is that how I can tell how much ram it is using?? Or are you guys using a different method to find out how much ram its using. Currently I have 3vm's goin on this comp, 1 is using 72.2mb, 1 is using 71mb, and the other is at 68mb. I think that might be the page file usage though.

[Helheim]

ctrl-shift-esc launches the task manager.

[[XC] moddolicous]

Thanks heelheim, but thats not what I really mean. Can I tell how much ram a vm is using by using the task manager under performance? Or should I add up how much ram each service is using under processes?

[Haltech]

YOu have to go by processes. If you only look at the task mgr, you will be getting Virtual Ram usuage as well.

[[XC] moddolicous]

So just add up the mem usage of all the services?

[MRBIGSHOT]

incase anyone is wondering, i uploaded 5.5 vmware workstation for you guys, grab it before its gone. mainly for anyone on the dimes team that wants to install but wants free longer than the trial, its zipped so what you need is in the folder. :para:

[IronBits]

Thanks thewildblue !
Got me going in the right direction :)

[Jeff]

Welcome IB! :toast:

[IronBits]

Thanks Jeff! I see you're still adding more :clap:

[Jeff]

:lol: Yeah... and UPS just made a little delivery. :)

(you may want to start saving for when I sell you what I just received in a month or two) :D

[PCZ]

Bring it dont sing it :D

[IronBits]

I hope it's a Dual opty 265 this time with 4GB! :banana:

[Jeff]

I wish! Not yet though... maybe this fall. ;) But you were close with the "4Gb" part. :D

And the rest of my little re-working is going to have to wait 'til the weekend... I'm out of town for work the rest of the week.

[$ilver]

hmm i got 7 VM's running ..

settings are everywhere the same .. but just one VM is able to go online ..

on the others, Dimes says, that UDP/ICMP are blocked o.O

any ideas ??

[gpcola]

Did you leave it a while? :confused:

I find it's not unusual for dimes to say it's not able to connect when it first starts up. After a while that will normally straighten itself out though. As for UDP/ICMP blocking - all of my linux clients say they are blocked too but they manage to rack up the points anyway :D

If you've managed to get one VM connecting to the internet ok then the rest probably also have access and you're just experiencing the above. If I ever need to ensure I have a connection to the net in a VM I use firefox - don't rely on dimes for that :p:

[$ilver]

tried with Firefox .. and it runs ..

IE was not able to get atleast google ...

[IronBits]

Do you think a smoothwall setup will give me more thruput over this hardware?

D-Link DGL-4100 10/100/1000Mbps GamerLounge Broadband Gigabit Gaming Router
with 1 x 10/100Mbps WAN Port and 4 x 10/100/1000Mbps LAN Ports

NETGEAR GS608 10/100/1000Mbps Switch 8 X RJ-45 Ports 4K MAC Address Table 1MB Buffer memory

All computers have 1000Mbps NICs ...
TIA!

[[XC]thewildblue]

Not sure to be honest, but if you have a decent rig its bound to be more powerful than a dlink router. Cant hurt to try.

[Jeff7181]

I was wondering if there's a specific advantage to using VMware rather than a completely free alternative like Microsoft's Virtual Server 2005.

[[XC]thewildblue]

As far as Im aware the microsoft virtual server isnt free. Vmware as far as I was aware was the industry standard and the best.

[Rinsewand]

You can also use VMPlayer along with VMX Wizard which are both free!

RwD

[Jeff7181]

As far as Im aware the microsoft virtual server isnt free. Vmware as far as I was aware was the industry standard and the best.
Virtual PC 2004 isn't free, Virtual Server 2005 is free. The only catch is it requires IIS to run.

[[XC]thewildblue]

Ah I hadnt seen that product before. Whats it like on memory resources ? Vmware is pretty good if you want to run a lot of VMs and a cpu intensive DC project. Be interesting to see how it performs.

[Jeff7181]

This is a rough estimate... I have 2 GB of RAM in my rig... sitting at the desktop Commit Charge was 259M. I have two VM's running now, each with 512 MB reserved for them. Now Commit Charge is 1315M. Subtract 1024 for the RAM reserved for the VM's and the 259 that was in use before loading up the VM's and that leaves about 32 MB being used by Virtual Server 2005.

[Haltech]

James if you want VPC, i have it.

[[XC]thewildblue]

Thanks for the offer Haltech but I have it somewhere I think.

[opieum]

MS VPC or server for that matter are not exactly the fastest out there. VMwares virtualization is at least 2 years ahead of the competition. Google that info it is readily out there. Also from what I have heard it is not as user friendly but that is up to debate and preferences.

If you are lookng to run multiple VMs Vmware server is your best bet. It is free now and is more geared for server use. I recommend using a low footprint OS like a nlited windows or Damn Small Linux or even ubuntu to run the VMware server. This should provide a dramatic increase in performance.

[Paladin]

I see a lot of glossing over exactly which package from vmware.c0m is needed. Currently available are VMPlayer (free, but seems it can only run pre-made proprietary images), VMWare Server 1.0.2 (free), & VMWare Workstation 6 (30-day).
Which one(s) will work for at least 10 VMs?

[[XC]thewildblue]

Workstation will allow you to create VMs that can be saved to run with VMplayer, as will VMware server. Workstation also allows you to clone the VMs which saves time when creating a VM farm. The downside is that you will need to buy it after 30 days. VMware server will allow you to create the VMs and manage them for free.

So both workstation and server will do what you require. Both will run in windows and linux. In fact you can download server direct into ubuntu using add remove programs.

[Helheim]

Workstation also allows you create Teams, with Server you can specify VMs to start automatically when you launch VMWare but can't create Teams.

[m^2]

Can anybody suggest me which VM to use? VMware is not free. I'm playing with VirtualBox right now, but I can't make it autostart. Where should I go now? Virtual PC? QEMU? Something else?
BTW 32 MB is more than enough for XP. :D
I'm considering dropping it to 24-26.