How do I set up multiple virtual Machines for home server?

Question

I have been using linux, CentOS with a web hosting company for about a year now and I just got a good computer for free that can handle virtualization and 64 bit.

I have never had to set up my own server like how I want to now. I want to have 3 OS running at the same time.

I think I need to install a bare-metal type-1 hypervisor and then install CentOS 6.4 Server, Windows Server (any year), and a Windows 7 Home Premium.

I need more experience with VMs and Server products.

How do I go about setting this up? I also want to be able to manage the machines on my internal home ip and no need for much external ip except for applying updates.

I was thinking of using vmware or proxmox but dont know where to begin. My biggest need of help is setting up a hypervisor (no domain name, just ips) and be able to access it thru a webgui to manage the 3 above server installs as VMs and webgui via local IP range from my home router.

Please help me get started.

Thanks, Anthony

Answer 1

I've always been a fan of VMWare ESXi for scenarios like this, and would highly recommend it. The setup process is fairly easy if your hardware supports it. You can download ESXi 5.1 for free here: https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/evalcenter?p=free-esxi5&lp=default.

I prefer to go the hypervisor route primarily for its simplicity from a support perspective. I want my time and resources spent working with the virtualized servers, not the physical one. Being able to call up another host 'on demand' is great, especially if you are testing software/etc and don't want to put something together.

As far as management, VMWare also provides management tools for ESXi, that give you the ability to manage just about all aspects of VMWare, as well as access the virtual console for those machines. It makes creating new VMs (or managing existing) a breeze. I'm not sure I'd use it beyond setup (I use RDP or VNC), but it's still very well featured.

Answer 2

There are a lot of virtualistion solutions try some of them and decide wich one fits your needs (ex.):

• VMWare
• qemu
• VirtualBox
• Xen