Suggestion(s) for VMWare use in classroom?

Ed_Flecko · ‎07-11-2007

Hi folks,

I'm looking at using VMWare products at our community college for our computer science students. I need some guidance from some of you VMWare experts as to what you'd suggest (wink, wink).

It's my understanding, VMWare graciously offers licensing for the following products: "The VMware Infrastructure 3 suite includes: VMware ESX Server and VMware VirtualCenter (which is composed of five main components: VirtualCenter Management Server, VirtualCenter Database, Virtual Infrastructure Client, VirtualCenter Agent, and Virtual Infrastructure Web) plus new distributed services including VMware HA, VMware DRS and VMware Consolidated Backup."

Ideally, I'd like students to be able to access their virtual machines remotely (via web interface, hopefully). I'd like them to have very[/b] restricted access; in fact, I'd like them to have access to only [u]their[/u][/b] virtual machines (if that's possible). Finally, if I could create a "set" of Virtual Machines that could be assigned to a specific student, that would be great. I'd probably create two (2) or three (3) virtual machines for students to create their own "virtual" network.

Using the above referenced products, can I achieve my goals? All comments / suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!

oreeh · ‎07-11-2007

VI3 is able to do what you want (including the web access part - though not recommended due to high "CPU cost" in the ESX service console)

Ed_Flecko · ‎07-11-2007

Thank you.

I should have mentioned that I have two (2) blade servers to work with. My colleague wants to run Microsoft Virtual PC on Server 2003, installed on one of the blade servers.

It's my guess that this scenario will address very few of my objectives, and will run like crap (if it runs at all) with 10-15 Virtual PC machines all running Vista!

Am I wrong???

esiebert7625 · ‎07-11-2007

Depending on how much money you have to spend ESX with VirtualCenter is a good product and should meet your requirements. You might also check out ACE/VDI...

http://www.vmware.com/products/vdi/

http://www.vmware.com/products/ace/

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=391733&#391733

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=580209&#580209

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=411507&#411507

Pricing, Packaging & Licensing Overview - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi_pricing.pdf

Vmware Infrastructure Architecture Overview - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi_architecture_wp.pdf

Introduction to ESX 3.0.1 and VirtualCenter 2.0.1 - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_intro_vi.pdf

Managing Vmware VirtualCenter Roles & Permissions - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_vc_roles.pdf

Fyi…if you find this post helpful, please award points using the Helpful/Correct buttons.

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Thanks, Eric

Visit my website: http://vmware-land.com

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VirtualNoitall · ‎07-11-2007

Hello,

Just to be clear the VMware Virtual Center Server license is not included in your standard VI3 license; the agent for VC is but the server is not. It kind of sounded like you thought it was in your post ; just wanted to be sure you had the right info.

Ed_Flecko · ‎07-11-2007

The school isn't willing to spend any money on VMWare, because Virtual PC is free.

That's the cool part about this program from VMWare; VMWare offers licensing free of charge to confirmed, academic institutions.

Ed_Flecko · ‎07-11-2007

Hmmm. Are you [u]sure[/u][/b]?

http://www.vmware.com/partners/academic/details.html#c4641

Thank you.

esiebert7625 · ‎07-11-2007

VMware Server is also free and will work better for you then MS VPC. I never knew that VMware had a program for free licenses for schools. Is this for all their products? Is it all you can eat? (as many licenses as you want)

http://www.vmware.com/products/server/