how many vm's can I run on a mac mini server?

[logicalsolution]

I am looking a using a mini server as disaster recovery machine. I will need to run 2 windows 2003 servers and 6 xp workstations(very low activity). presently they are all run on a small esx server with 4 gig of memory.

My questions is how many machines have people been able to run under fusions?

I am using Esxpress backup software to make images backups to the mini. I still working thru a means of convert them into usable VMs on the mini. if anybody has any experience with Esxpress and Fusion please jump it!

[admin]

I am looking a using a mini server as disaster recovery machine. I will need to run 2 windows 2003 servers and 6 xp workstations(very low activity). presently they are all run on a small esx server with 4 gig of memory.

My questions is how many machines have people been able to run under fusions?

The limiting factor is usually RAM, and Mac minis max out at 4 GB RAM. I would expect ESX to be more efficient at memory management than a general purpose OS like OS X, so even though the machines both have 4 GB, you might not be able to run everything you could on the mini as you could on the ESX server.

Any particular reason you want to use Fusion instead of ESX? I would expect ESX to be better suited for this general use case.

[conleyt]

While 4GB is the "officially supported" maximum in a Mini server, I've been successfully running 8GB in mine since day one....

Tom C.

[disarci]

Ok, for the ram,

but it's possible to run Fusion on a 10.6 SERVER?

And if it, can I manage the vw in command line as in esx?

Regards

[WoodyZ]

but it's possible to run Fusion on a 10.6 SERVER?

And if it, can I manage the vw in command line as in esx?

Using <tt>vmrun</tt> to Control Virtual Machines

[logicalsolution]

the fusion /mac mini is a much less expense environment for Disaster Recovery that an 2nd esx license and supported hardware. plus I can use the hardware for some additional functions until I need to use it as DR server.

[logicalsolution]

i was hoping to get a handle on how many VM machines people have been able to run under fusion.

[asatoran]

i was hoping to get a handle on how many VM machines people have been able to run under fusion.

It varies depending on what kind of VMs you're running. For example, my 2009 Mini with 4GB of RAM can comfortable run two VMs: Vista w/1GB RAM and Win7 w/1GB RAM. However, if I try to run one my Win2003 SQL test servers, it needs 2GB of RAM so I can only run that one VM. I usually have a few Mac apps running also so I could free up another 500MB of RAM if I closed down the Mac apps. But basically the total I can allocate to the VMs is something in the range of 2-2.5GB of RAM without affecting the Mini. If I did have 8GB of RAM and I were going to run much more simultaneous VMs, then the dual core CPU may become an issue. (Which means I'd want a Mac Pro or Xserve rather than a Mini.) But since 2GB of allocated RAM is usually no more than 2-3 VMs, the Core2Duo CPU is not a problem. In fact in one DR instance, I had my Mini hosting three Windows 2008 servers (DC/Exchange, FTP, Web.) While I had no RAM left to run Mac apps, the VMs were just fine.

[admin]

the fusion /mac mini is a much less expense environment for Disaster Recovery that an 2nd esx license and supported hardware.

You probably know this, but ESXi is free. I would expect whitebox hardware to cost less than a mini. What do you need to do that Fusion can do but ESXi can't?

[disarci]

so the answer it's NO!

I have to put a 10.6 standard snow leopard on it

I asked because there are few post with people with fusion on macos server but with problems.

[WoodyZ]

so the answer it's NO!

I have to put a 10.6 standard snow leopard on it

The Systen Requirements makes no distinction between OS X Client and OS X Server therefore it should be able to install on either.

I asked because there are few post with people with fusion on macos server but with problems.

What problems? Links to referencing post would be helpful.

[disarci]

Ok, tks!

I'll buy this and tell how does it works

PS old post with problems:

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/259533

[WoodyZ]

Ok, tks!

I'll buy this and tell how does it works

Before you buy Fusion you can download the latest fully functional GA Release and get a free 30 trial serial number to test drive and see if it will work for you under the conditions you need.

PS old post with problems:

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/259533

Is that case use applicable to your case use?