How to run multiple operating systems simultaneously ?

How to run linux operating system within windows ?

How to run windows operating system inside linux?

How to run Apple Mac operating system inside windows or Linux?

How to run several operating systems without dual boot option or without partitioning your hard drive?

The answer to all these questions and much more is one word Virtualization. You need a Virtual Machine for your platform to run multiple operating systems.

This way you can have one main operating system called HOST and any number of GUEST operating systems. You can run Windows, Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Mac, openBSD, Windows Mobile, HP-UX, Sprite, z/OS etc. (You name it, you can run that)

VMWare server is a virtual machine software which is a FREE virtual machine and capable of running many OS inside many OS. I just captured the steps when I installed the VMWare server 2 for working with Debian Lenny GNU / Linux on Windows Vista host. VMWare server is for server machines but can be run in most OS’s without any problems.

Step 1

Get VMWare server 2 from http://www.vmware.com/products/server. You should Register and get the license key for the free download.

Step 2

Install VMWare server 2 in your host OS. Here I have used Windows Vista Enterprise. Follow the default install options.

During the installation is the license key will be required. Register with the license keys you have got.

Step 3

Complete the Installation.

Step 4

The challenge of installing a Virtual Machine does not end with the default installation. Now you have to create a Virtual Disk which is a portion of your hard disk for installing the GUEST Operating System. To access your VMWare server homepage find the icon available on the Desktop and start the same it will open in Firefox or Internet Explorer or any browser which is the default one.

You cannot immediately reach to the VMWare Server Homepage as your browser will not allow because of security violations. [ The Server communicates with your Guest OS in a different port which may be blocked usually]

In Firefox you should provide an exception. Here’s how to overcome the ‘This Connection is Untrusted’

Step 5

Click on I understand the Risks

Step 6

Select Add Exception, to exempt the security check for this port.

Step 7

The next step would be to get a certificate. Click on Get Certificate.

Step 8

Check the Permanently Store Exception,  for next log on and Confirm the Security Exception.

Step 9

If you are using internet  explorer, it will throw a ‘There is a problem with this website’s security certificate’. To overcome this just select ‘continue with this  website (not recommended) and proceed.

Step 10

After successfully completing your security exception you should log in into the Server Homepage. Now the question is: Which username and password you should use to log in to your VMWare Server Homepage?

Use whatever password and username you use for your Guest operating system, in this case my Vista login username and password.

Step 11

Now you will see the VMWare Server Homepage which will contain many details like system name and it is the CENTRAL platform for managing your virtual machines.  It does not load completely in Firefox as seen below:

I tried to get this right but cannot get the details of why the VMWare server is not loading properly in firefox. Hence I switched to Internet Explorer. Everything loaded completely in Internet explorer as below:

We will see how to configure the Virtual machine in the next part–>VMware Server installation Part Two here.

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