Build up for virtual machines

[Sveach]

I have no idea where this topic should go, but I think this is the most applicable area....

 

 

I'm preparing to build a server for hosting virtual machines. I'm pretty sure the area I'll need to worry about the most is memory. I'm trying to keep this as low budget as possible (this is at home, not work.)

 

Am I right in thinking that the memory is my biggest area of concern?

 

I'm going to try to reuse my existing hardware for my desktop, but upgrade whatever necessary. I already have 300 gigs of hard drive space - more than enough for my purposes.

 

Anybody ever built a server for VM purposes?

 

*edit* Current System specs:

Sempron 64 3000+

512 mb of ram

some cheap video card

two 74 gig raptors

1 160 gig pata

1 40 gig pata

 

How well do you think VM's would run on this? Upgrading the RAM to the max, hopefully 3 gigs....

Edited February 14, 2008 by Sveach

[PyRo_MaNiAc]

Yes you can run VM's on that machine, but not with 512Mmb of RAM. You already have plenty of space, the processor is decent. How many Virtual Machines running at once are we talking about, that may have some effect on your processor.

 

Upgrading the memory to 2 or 3 gigs (like you plan) will be fine, you should be able to run multiple machines at that point.

 

What type of VM's do you plan on running? Like XP, Server03, Linux. What virtual application are you planning on using? WMWare Server, Workstation.

[Sveach]

Yes you can run VM's on that machine, but not with 512Mmb of RAM. You already have plenty of space, the processor is decent. How many Virtual Machines running at once are we talking about, that may have some effect on your processor.

 

Upgrading the memory to 2 or 3 gigs (like you plan) will be fine, you should be able to run multiple machines at that point.

 

What type of VM's do you plan on running? Like XP, Server03, Linux. What virtual application are you planning on using? WMWare Server, Workstation.

 

I'll be running mostly Windows based VM's. 2003 Server and multiple XP clients. I need to brush up on my AD stuff...I haven't done it in years.

 

I'm also going to be running some linux VMs, but those won't take much to run.

 

I'm hoping to get at least 3-4 running at a time. One DC, plus at least two client machines. 3 if at all possible. It's going to be a file server, but I can use the physical machine to do that if necessary.

 

My goal is to basically use this for a few years to practice for some certs. Security, Linux, and MCP/MCSA/E (not sure which I want to do yet, or if I even want them.)

[PyRo_MaNiAc]

I'll be running mostly Windows based VM's. 2003 Server and multiple XP clients. I need to brush up on my AD stuff...I haven't done it in years.

 

I'm also going to be running some linux VMs, but those won't take much to run.

 

I'm hoping to get at least 3-4 running at a time. One DC, plus at least two client machines. 3 if at all possible. It's going to be a file server, but I can use the physical machine to do that if necessary.

 

My goal is to basically use this for a few years to practice for some certs. Security, Linux, and MCP/MCSA/E (not sure which I want to do yet, or if I even want them.)

 

You shouldn't have any issues running 3-4 VM's at once if you get 3 gigs of memory in that machine. You can run a server 2003 on 512mb of ram (up it to a gig if need be, really depends on the use of the server) and each xp client at 128 or 256. The Linux VM's won't take much so no worries there, I usually run my FC7 builds at 512mb.

[Sveach]

You shouldn't have any issues running 3-4 VM's at once if you get 3 gigs of memory in that machine. You can run a server 2003 on 512mb of ram (up it to a gig if need be, really depends on the use of the server) and each xp client at 128 or 256. The Linux VM's won't take much so no worries there, I usually run my FC7 builds at 512mb.

Good to hear. Never really thought about just applying the min/recommended OS specs to this. Guess it works though.

 

I can buy 4 gigs of ram for $200....ouch. OR I can upgrade to:

 

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+

GIGABYTE GA-MA69VM-S2

4 gigs of ram

 

for $220. I've already got the hard drives and a nice lian li case to stick this in. I'll need a cooler for that cpu, but I think I might go this route. Have the same amount of ram, but a much better (and dual core) processor and better cooling for ~ $50 more. Anything wrong with that cpu/motherboard I picked out?

[PyRo_MaNiAc]

Good to hear. Never really thought about just applying the min/recommended OS specs to this. Guess it works though.

 

I can buy 4 gigs of ram for $200....ouch. OR I can upgrade to:

 

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+

GIGABYTE GA-MA69VM-S2

4 gigs of ram

 

for $220. I've already got the hard drives and a nice lian li case to stick this in. I'll need a cooler for that cpu, but I think I might go this route. Have the same amount of ram, but a much better (and dual core) processor and better cooling for ~ $50 more. Anything wrong with that cpu/motherboard I picked out?

 

The motherboard is micro atx the only bad thing but overall pretty decent, the processor is cheap you can even step it down to save a few bucks, and dual core will allow you to do more with the VM's. As for memory you can get DDR2 with that motherboard so why not 2x2gb G.Skill 89$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231122 If you stay with your current setup and get more DDR memory I assume, around 200 for 4x1gb sticks is right from newegg, unless you get the value select stuff you can shave a few bucks there.

[Waco]

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+

GIGABYTE GA-MA69VM-S2

4 gigs of ram

That's a great choice versus just buying more RAM. With DDR so expensive these days it's almost always worth upgrading to AM2 just to get 4 gigs.

[Sveach]

The motherboard is micro atx the only bad thing but overall pretty decent, the processor is cheap you can even step it down to save a few bucks, and dual core will allow you to do more with the VM's. As for memory you can get DDR2 with that motherboard so why not 2x2gb G.Skill 89$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231122 If you stay with your current setup and get more DDR memory I assume, around 200 for 4x1gb sticks is right from newegg, unless you get the value select stuff you can shave a few bucks there.

 

The memory I picked out:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231111

 

It is DDR2. I can get two of them (4 gigs) for $89. Same as you listed, basically. Though yours has better timings....

 

Does VMware utilize both processors? Either way it'll be helpful as I can multitask better, im just curious.

[PyRo_MaNiAc]

Does VMware utilize both processors? Either way it'll be helpful as I can multitask better, im just curious.

 

It really depends on what you are doing if it will utilize both cores fully. With my Quad core the virtual machines utilize all four cores evenly.

[Sveach]

That's a great choice versus just buying more RAM. With DDR so expensive these days it's almost always worth upgrading to AM2 just to get 4 gigs.

 

Agreed. The DDR is 4 times the price of the DDR2.

 

 

It really depends on what you are doing if it will utilize both cores fully. With my Quad core the virtual machines utilize all four cores evenly.

 

Good to know. Now I'm almost positive I'm going to upgrade.

 

 

Anyone wanna buy a sempron 64 3000+ and a mobo? B:)

 

Though I guess I could keep it and use it as a spare rig, just need a case....

[surya]

I would keep the older hardware. I would definitely recommend dual core. Even though I have a quad core it is overkill and it is virtually useless in most apps since the cores are just idle

Edited February 14, 2008 by surya

[Sveach]

I would keep the older hardware. I would definitely recommend dual core. Even though I have a quad core it is overkill and it is virtually useless in most apps since the cores are just idle

Yeah I think I'm going to keep the old hardware too. I just bought it recently and it can run virtual machines on it, so I may as well use it...I just get to have more VM's this way!