VM /ETC

Archive for the ‘beta’ Category

Not too long ago I published a visual how to guide for installing Windows 7 Beta on VMware Workstation 6.5. In this post I am illustrating how to install Windows 7 in a VirtualBox 2.1 virtual machine hosted on a 32 bit Ubuntu 8.10 desktop. Once again the installation is straightforward, but I’ve taken the time to record screen shots of the process. Judging by the traffic from the first post, the topic of running Windows 7 in a VM has been very popular, so now this post provides a Linux open source alternative to the previous Windows Vista VMware Workstation post. Like before I’ve added some basic notes along with my impressions during the process.

There’s nothing really too complicated or tricky, but nonetheless use this guide to get an idea how simple the VirtualBox Windows 7 installation process really is. Read the rest of this entry »

updated 01.23.09 – The beta registration period has ended. Thanks to all the readers that signed up!

VM /ETC readers have one last opportunity to get an advanced look at the Hyper9 browser based virtual infrastructure management tool before it is released to the public. According to the Beta newsletter I received, the product launch is scheduled for sometime in February. The newsletter also mentioned additional product functionality, savings for beta testers, and changes to the Hyper9 Community web pages.

Once again I am providing an automated form for interested readers to sign up for a copy. Filling out the form with a valid email address will result in an auto reply containing additional instructions about the program and a link to register. The beta registration form will only be available until midnight January 22.

updated 01.17.08 – I have moved the sign up form to it’s own page. Please click here to fill in the form.

I also discovered that the auto reply was not working properly for all the form entries that have been collected. I manually forwarded all the applicants directly to Hyper9, so if you submitted your information but never received an email reply I have been informed that Hyper9 will now be following up with you.

For more information and screen shots of this awesome VI management tool check out my previous post First look at Hyper9 beta for VM /ETC readers. or check out these additonal Hyper9 links:

• Community
• Hyper9 How-To Videos
• Hyper9.com

Along with the recent Server 2008 R2 Beta release, Microsoft has announced the public beta availability of their free, stand alone Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 server virtualization platform. Along with several other improvements, a most noticeable feature is the inclusion of both Live Migration, the live transfer of a guest between hosts, and Quick Migration, a clustered -like live fail over of a guest between hosts. I have not found a definitive announcement that the latest version will remain free like the previously released version, but I would have to assume this is the case.

If this is so, I am now waiting for the announcement from VMware that the free version of ESXi will provide free VMotion, and at a minimum, the High Availability (HA) feature. VMware, what will be your counter?

updated 01.13.08 – after thinking about it a little more after my rush to publish this post, both Microsoft Hyper-V Server and VMware ESXi require management to enable the Live Migration / VMotion features. So, assuming both products require a licensed version of their management server (SCVMM / VMM on another Server 2008 host vs VMware vCenter), what may be a more realistic announcement for VMware would be to allow ESXi hosts to have free vCenter agents allowing ESXi hosts to join a already licensed ESX Cluster.

I applaud Microsoft for this move as it should be a significant catalyst for a wider, more enthusiastic deployment of their hypervisor. I can only wonder if VMware saw this coming, and hopefully has a quick response, if not immediately, but for at least by VMworld Europe 2009.

The following are several links with more information about this announcement including sources such as Microsoft’s download page for Hyper-V Server 2008 as well as other Microsoft virtualization blogisphere posts. Read the rest of this entry »

Although Microsoft’s roadmap for general availability is still 2010, a public beta version of Server 2008 R2 currently available for Technet subscribers enables live migration for Hyper-V guests. Non subscribers will apparently be able to download the R2 beta from the product’s web page on Friday, January 9th.

This post consists of some quick notes primarily about the new virtualization related features. For more information about all the new enhancements be sure to follow the  links.

From Matt McSpirit’s Virtualboy Blog post Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 Client Now Available on MSDN/TechNet!

“It’s come round pretty fast I have to say, but Microsoft have announced availability, through MSDN and TechNet (non-MSDN/TechNet subscribers can download them from Friday 9th January), of the beta’s of Windows 7 client, and better still, Windows Server 2008 R2.”

From the Windows Server Division Web Log

“Hyper-V in R2 now has Live Migration, allowing IT admins to move VMs across physical hosts with no interruption of service or network connectivity and significant network performance improvements. VMs in Hyper-V for R2 also get greater access to physical resources, namely support for 32 logical processors.”

From the document Top 10 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2

Read the rest of this entry »

With the expected release of Windows 7 later this year, there is already speculation and rumor that perhaps Microsoft will loosen it’s virtualization licensing policies once again. A much needed move for modern virtual infrastructure in my opinion, Microsoft may finally be abandoning their position that their operating systems must be anchored to physical hardware. I hesitate to truly get excited about this change until it is officially announced, but could this finally be the green light to license VMs individually and independently of the virtualization host’s operating system and hardware? Could it finally be the acceptance of unlimited live migration (VMotion)?

I’ll reference 2 sources for these rumors. The first is Read the rest of this entry »

The folks over at Hyper9 are still looking for qualified companies to participate in their private beta program of their soon to be released search based virtual infrastructure management tool. Check out my previous post about the tool’s great features and to see some screen shots of it in action.

If you are interested in obtaining your own invitation to the beta program fill out the form at the end of this post. Your will receive a confirmation email with further instructions. Your contact information will be forwarded to Hyper9 so that they know you were referred by VM /ETC, but otherwise your information will be kept private. If enough VM /ETC readers sign up I get free pizza!

The current beta invitations are available until midnight December 5, so sign up now!

VMware Communities: VMware Converter 4.0 Standalone Public … is the link to the VMware Communities web page with information for signing up for the VMware Converter 4.0 public beta. I first heard about this from Eric Sloof’s NTPRO.NL blog last week, but I’ve actually downloaded the stand alone beta version and will be experimenting with it this week. From the Communities page, here are the instructions for signing up.

~~ Getting Started ~~
If you already have a VMware store account, please follow the link below to
gain access to Converter 4.0 beta software, documentation and join the
Converter 4.0 beta community.

http://www.vmware.com/publicbeta/conv4-beta

If you don’t have a VMware store account, please follow the link below to create
a VMware store account, gain access to Converter 4.0 beta software,
documentation and join Converter 4.0 beta community.

http://www.vmware.com/publicbetanew/conv4-beta

These links have been randomly available. In fact, when I tried last week i was unable to access these pages, but today I was able to get through and download the users guide, release notes, and both the Windows and Linux versions of converter.

The Release Notes describe some exciting nw features. Read the rest of this entry »