Can we have three VM servers with softwares talking to each other very frequently.

[VMNEWBEE2009]

Hi, I am new user who started looking into VM yesterday. I have a requirement where I would like to split one server using VM into 5-6 servers. I would use one VM to install SAP R/3 IDES, another to install SAP CRM IDES, third to install BO and fourth from where I will access these three applications. These three software would need to talk to each other very frequently. Please let me know if this is possible. Will these three will have separate IP address?

Please also let me know which all software are required. If I can get VMware for free then what is the benefit with VMware eSphere which costs a lot ( for personal use).

This i am doing for self learning as I need to install 2-3 softwares on separate machines so please be gently on cost.

[AndreTheGiant]

Please let me know if this is possible.

Yes, be only sure to have enough resources (CPU and RAM).

Will these three will have separate IP address?

Each VM has a separate IP (and a different MAC address).

Andre

[ranjitcool]

Welcome to forums, yes you can have 3 machines talking to each other. Also they need different ip address.Think of the 3 vms as 3 different machines as if you had them side by side.

Vsphere is more into cloud computing is all i know :smileygrin: as of now..

RJ

May be we all live virtual lives..

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Is this ESX 3, vSphere, ESXi, Server, workstation, or fusion?

The virtual networking for each one is slightly different.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky VMware Communities User Moderator, VMware vExpert 2009, Virtualization Practice Analyst[/url]
Now Available: 'VMware vSphere(TM) and Virtual Infrastructure Security: Securing the Virtual Environment'[/url]
Also available 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise'[/url]
[url=http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Blog_Roll]SearchVMware Pro[/url]|Blue Gears[/url]|Top Virtualization Security Links[/url]|Virtualization Security Round Table Podcast[/url]

[VMNEWBEE2009]

Thanks to everyone for quick reply. I don't have either as of now as I am in the process of selection. I would prefer to go with least cost or if its for free. Its for my personal use.

[AndreTheGiant]

For personal use and small or few VMs VMware Server could be a good choice.

But you have "huge" server, so could be better use ESXi (also free).

Andre

[VMNEWBEE2009]

Thanks for lots of answers. Now I know which way I have to go. My plan is to buy a single hardware machine and create 5-7 VMs. use 2 VMs for SAP installation and then remaining 3-5 to install Windows XP/Vista. I will give trainings to the users and user would do hands on training on these 3-5 VMs. Training would be on BO installation and Integration with SAP. Training would be remotely so I would like users to login only to their VMs. Maybe some userID and pwd will be given to them to login into VMs ( an no access to other VMs). I am still not sure how they will connect to these 3-5 VMs remotely. Is this facility available in VMware or I have to look for other softwares.

[AndreTheGiant]

For remote connection I suggest to use RDP and a VPN (like OpenVPN) if you want something free.

Or you can use a Citrix XenApp or a simple RDP SSL tunneling gateway.

With VMware product you could use VMware View Manager.

Andre

[VMNEWBEE2009]

Thanks for more insight. Now I know what all I need. Do we have any practical recommendation that what is the minimul requirement for any VM creation i.e. if I have Intel Core Duo processor with 320 GB HD and 4 GB ram then at the minimum we should create 4 VMs or like what is the minimum config any newly created VM should be. I know it depends on what for we want to use VM but suppose I just want to browse internet.

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

I suggest to buy a Dell/HP/IBM server with 1 quadcore and 8 GB RAM and at least 2 SATA disk.

Check compatibility on http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility

With 4 cores and 8 GB RAM you could run all your VM and something else (like VPN or TS gateway, a DC for your Windows environment, ...)

Andre

[VMNEWBEE2009]

Thanks for such a quick reply. All of my questions are answered as of now.

[AndreTheGiant]

You're welcome.

And enjoy with your lab.

Andre

[VMNEWBEE2009]

Dear Andre, I have one more question. I am thinking of buying Dell PowerEdge T105 server. The config is as given below. I looked into the supported CPU for VMWare and it comes in it. I says that "CIM monitoring on this server is limited due to the absence of a BMC". What is this and does this impact of what I am trying to do? I will install Linux and then after making VMs I will install Windows XP OS on those VMs.

T105

Quad Core AMD® OpteronTM 1352; 2.1GHz,4X512K Cache

RAM 4GB

HDD 250Gb

HDD 250GB

[AndreTheGiant]

CIM is needed for host healt status (for example).

Be also sure to have a supported storage controller (and also the network adapters ).

Andre

[VMNEWBEE2009]

Thanks Andre, Do I need RAID etc and I can reinstall in case of failure. For network adapters what do I need. I am told by Dell that its can be connected to internet as motherboard has it inbuilt. Don't want to miss anything

Below is the link for one I am looking for.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=bqdwv1k&c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04

[AndreTheGiant]

Do I need RAID etc and I can reinstall in case of failure.

RAID if useful.

But for a lab is not necessary.

You need only a supported controller and SATA or SAS or SCSI disks.

From Dell I usuall use PERC card that works very well.

For network adapters what do I need.

Dell dual NIC (or also quad NIC) card based on Intel chipset are fine.

Andre

[VMNEWBEE2009]

Thanks Andre, Dell says they are giving "On-Board Single Gigabit Network Adapter" . Do I need to spend on any other one?

[AndreTheGiant]

If is only for a lab environment one single giga NIC could be fine.

Andre