VMware Communities: Message List - bootp or pxe boot

Re: bootp or pxe boot

justhere — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:45:43 GMT

how about this?

http://www.thinstation.org/

Re: bootp or pxe boot

RParker — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:06:51 GMT

I don't want to replace a 1000 PC's with thin clients, too expensive. Thin clients also have issues with some of our software. Is there any way to boot a PC directly into a VM as the core OS?

I don't think there is with the current VM Ware solutions, however that would be an EXCELLENT idea. I wish we could do something, because it would make things easier. I see what you are saying, your VM is your 'home'. But it's complicated because if you are sitting on your couch, and disconnected, how would you bring up VPN to connect and get online with your VM?

That's where the problem comes in. You NEED some sort of OS to get in first to get to your 'core' OS. So a flash image, something needs to be installed locally to allow you get network and connectivity.

Even on a LAN, there isn't a way that I know of that will allow this. Perhaps there are thin client appliances that will do this, but not using pxe boots on a standard desktop / laptop.

I know we investigated on a while back (demo at VM World) but I can't remember the company. So I know they exist, but they use a stand alone Linux box that's a simple thin client that boots, and connects to a pre-configured VM. Our company like you, thinks its cost prohibitive to 'switch' to thin clients even though in the long run it would be MUCH more cost effective.

Re: bootp or pxe boot

justhere — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:29:10 GMT

I don't want to replace a 1000 PC's with thin clients, too expensive. Thin clients also have issues with some of our software. Is there any way to boot a PC directly into a VM as the core OS?

Thanks

Re: bootp or pxe boot

RParker — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:09:57 GMT

Umm.. There is still a point. You run your VM's remote or local, your choice. You are thinking of synchronizing the data across WAN or LAN. A VM is a VM. Just because there isn't a method to stream a VM at the moment, doesn't mean its pointless to run VM's.

why do you need to stream a VM, why not run it locally on your machine, OR run a thin client with only basic OS just to get you a VM console to run your VM hosted on whatever machine.

What's the difference? You still have to run a VM someplace, and a thin client just means your laptop provides the CPU / Memory, the data and OS still runs someplace. You can run a thin client inside a VM, and stream it to your computer, but you are running only 1 environment. If you unplug your machine from the network, it's worthless... So why would you stream a VM? Just install it locally, same end result.

Re: bootp or pxe boot

justhere — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:55:28 GMT

If not then what is the point? I have to maintain an OS on the workstation and a guest OS. I just doubled my workload. Or am I missing something?

Re: bootp or pxe boot

RParker — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:51:56 GMT

s it possible to network boot a workstation with no OS, have it connect to a bootp, ris or ads server and feed it a vmware image? Kinda like a thin client?

Sorry

bootp or pxe boot

justhere — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:49:05 GMT

is it possible to network boot a workstation with no OS, have it connect to a bootp, ris or ads server and feed it a vmware image? Kinda like a thin client?