is it possible to boot into VM windows OS from workstation boot - how to virtualise user desktops ?

[scottlotus]

Hi,

Not sure where to start with this or if posting in correct place so aplogies for any rule breaking.

I work for a smaller asp.net developer with around 20 users most of which are programmers.  As IT support we get constant requests for new workstations to cope with the latest version of each development applications.

I use an windows hyper-v cluster to to virtualise servers are part of an isp hosted project. Became obvious that the solution to stop this continuing workstation upgrade maybe to virtualise each developers desktop. Save the days of down time to upgrade each workstation getting it back to working PC.

With Hyper-v i define the prefered node, take the other node offline for maintance or replacing. I can add an additional custer server (better kit) and make it the new primary with minimum disrumption.

So internally , on our LAN, why not do the same thing was the thought.  Basic workstations that boot directly (from power up) into a virtual node hosted on a clustered server.

Is this something that a VM product supports ?

Starting from scratch here , simply trying to understand if this is possible , if so which products are required and the software cost implications and i guess if its a recommended solution for a small developer.

Thank you for any help

Scott

[DSTAVERT]

You can consider VMware View for virtualized desktops http://vmware.com/go/view

Another solution would be VMware Workstation or VMware Player. With the Workstation approach the developers could launch individual operating systems on their desktops. The ability to go back and forth between different snapshots of a development OS is quite useful for developers.

http://vmware.com/go/workstation

[scottlotus]

Thank you for the reply, interesting stuff.

So with VM View i could invest in a cheap desktop workstation , boot directly into VMView supporting a windows 7 desktop ?

VM Sphere would host the environment on Windows 2008 Server for example in clustered mode ?

VMware Workstation / VMware Player look like the equivelnt of MS virtual machine which is not what im looking for sorry.

Thank you for your time.
Scott

[mcowger]

Exactly - your users could use cheap desktops/laptops, or even thin clients costing > $100 to access their VMware View session running on a vSphere cluster (with all the server class performance that entails).

vSphere is a baremetal OS however, there would be no need for windows 2008 or MS cluster as vSphere handles all of that for you (including the clustering, failover, etc).  The only windows you would need to run would be the guests themselves (running Windows 7 in your example) and a single host running Windows 2008 to run the vCenter management system.

[scottlotus]

Thank you for the reply , that sounds encouraging.

Looking at the practicalities of recreating a desktop environment ,  how can you deal with dual monitor displays ? what about using local serial port in said $100 pc and mapping it to the virtual windows desktop ? are these examples possible ?

Just looking for the limitations of the virtualised environment , what is likley to trip up our developers.

[mcowger]

The $100 local devices generally dont do dual displays, but the nicer ones do.  Check out the Z90 series from Wyse, for example.  They do full motion video, audio and multiple displays.

They can have local serial ports, as well as USB ports that are passed back to the VM they are running against.

99% of people can use a View desktop for their work, including hardcore developers.