Hi,

I am just wondering what people think about virtualisation, specifically in an IT company using products like VmWare, Virtual PC, and presumably some of the technology coming up in 2008?

I have had a couple of experiences:

I have been using Linux virtualisation for ages, both running kernels inside a host operating system – the machine that runs this list is running in this way, and for a small length of time, using the Zen virtualisation system in RedHat for a test project I am working on at work.  The Zen I have had more problems with, both on a technical level, and also the fact that it is harder to get at what is happening in the virtual system – if I don’t have SSH access to the machine, I have to resort to a virtual serial connection.

However, I have had less success with Microsoft Windows – using both VmWare and Virtual PC, I have had issues installing the Jaws intercept drivers, and when I am running in a Virtual PC session, it seems to somehow disrupt the Jaws session on the host OS, so that Jaws doesn’t speak correctly until I reboot.  I think this may be something to do with video drivers, or the way I am using the virtual system, as I go into full screen mode on occasions.

I am hoping to try out ESX server this year, which is VmWare’s flagship product, to see if it has any advantages over the others.

Have any of you had any experiences, both good and bad using this technology?

Thanks.

Andrew.