Running Ubuntu under Windows/running a Windows app under Ubuntu

[Eric Dunbar]

On 31/01/07, Ouattara Oumar Aziz <wattazoum at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Basically what I'm trying to do is have a bare-bones Ubuntu server
> > system that I can run either under Ubuntu (95% of the time) or as a
> > virtual machine under Windows XP Pro.
> >
> > Lets see if this scenario works:
> >
> > I run my server as a virtual machine under VMware all the time.
> >
> > 95% of the time it'll run under Ubuntu as a VM, but, sometimes I'll
> > boot into Windows and run it there under VMware Player.
>
> Let's see if I understand your scenario. When playing with VM we have to
> be clear.
> You have a computer let's call it *Server*.
> What you wanted was to run Server under Ubuntu almost all the time. But
> you suspect you'll have to go under Windows. So you want to create a VM
> (called *VMServer*) that would launch your local Ubuntu installation
> when you are under windows.
>
> But now your new scenario is to install Ubuntu on Server and another
> Ubuntu on VMServer. Then to launch VMServer either when Server is under
> windows or when Server is under Linux.
>
> Did I understand well ?

I think so:
1. Server... "just" an Ubuntu install
2. XPServer... just an XP install
3. VMServer... A server install of Ubuntu, installed INTO a virtual
machine (called, VMServer).

VMServer will contain the server components for my file and internet
server (apache, samba, Apple file sharing). Both XPServer and Server
will be used to run the VMServer.

The computer (P4 2GHz 512 MB RAM) could be used to run the VMServer
with a 99.9% uptime (only downtime really should be between restarts).
When in XPServer, I'd like "VMware Player" to run VMServer. When in
Server, I'd like the Ubuntu "VM... whatever player"[1] to run it.

[1] At the moment I have many things on my plate so I'm doing my best
NOT to touch the P4 to set it up as a server (I just got it... I
"needed" (wanted) a new toy).

> If yes, the second option seems more interesting for your use.
>
> > Question 1: can the Windows VMware Player run VMs created under Ubuntu
> > using the Ubuntu VMware?
>
> VMs config files are Independant from the OS used to create them so you
> shouldn't have any problem.
>
> > Question 2: is it safe (as in data corruption/recovery) to keep my
> > shared files on a virtual disk (separate from the Ubuntu server
> > virtual machine)?
>
> Well, what I suggest is create a *real* partition on Server that will
> keep your files. Then add a new virtual disk on VMServer that will point
> the partition out. So that you'll access that partition even if VMServer
> is not running. BUT be careful not to access that partition form
> VMServer and Server at the same time. Don't even access it when VMServer
> is running.

Weren't you writing that accessing a partition from the virtual
machine was still experimental and not recommended?

Thanks, Eric.