Running Ubuntu under Windows/running a Windows app under Ubuntu

[Ouattara Oumar Aziz]

> 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?

It is not recommended to run a true installed OS via VMware. The problem 
with that is the Boot Record can be corrupted when lauching the VM. But 
it shouldn't be a problem if it's a data partition.