KVM and Xen

[Dave Sampson]

Mike,

Sorry for the mixup... KVM's are used to switch between multiple 
physical computers... for instance I have a laptop and three towers. 
These are all stand alone machines that use the KVM so I don't need 4 
monitors, 4 mice and 4 keyboards.

Xen on the otherhand lets you run multiple Virtual machines.... that is 
you would use FEDORA as your main operating system and Xen would allow 
you to have virtual machines. The Windows equivalent would be VMware to 
create virtual machines.

If you have one box (ie computer) and you want to run multiple operating 
systems two main choices to consider would be
1. as you pointed out Xen. But you should have a workhorse of a computer 
to do that. Think of what the minimum requirements for XP and Fedora are 
and add those requirements together than add 10%... that is how I would 
think about it. Xen is a convenient way to run multiple operating 
systems but not the most effecient. Virtual machines (such as created 
through Xen) are bloated as you require the whole operating system (as 
aposed to option 3). Virtual machines are often used by windows 
developers and programers. if something messes up then they just close 
the virtual machine instead of rebooting. I find it funny how window 
developers use linux boxes to increase their productivity.

2. Do some research into using GRUB to setup a dual boot system so you 
have a Fedora Partition and an XP partition. This means the system 
resources are alocated sepratedly, but only one OS can run at a time. to 
switch OS's means a reboot.

3. If you want to run Windows applications inside Linux then think of 
researching Linux WINE... or take a look at Crossover office. these are 
options to run your favourite windows application in a linux 
enviornment. WINE is a runtime environment that clones windows and some 
of its libraries. So fo instance you have a good copy of Adobe 
photoshop, or dreamweaver or office XP, then WINE is your ticket to 
using those. A virtual machine is verry bloated.

Mike... ask yourself what you need to run two OS's for... I came from a 
full MS background and the only Windows thing I am still tied to is a 
driver for my wireless card. As a digital photographer,professional 
geographer, ski instructor and tech junkie I have found everything I 
need in the open source realm. Think these decisions out carefully.

Cheers


Mike Chalmers wrote:
> On 12/30/06, Dave Sampson <samper.d at gmail.com> wrote:
>> KVM
>>
>> A switck between computers but able to use one (K)eyboard (V)ideo and
>> (M)ouse
>>
>> For my setup between 4 computers I have one PS2 keyboard, one usb mouse
>> with ps2 adapter... and one monitor with SVGA
>>
>> they all plu into a BOX... then when I double tap SCROLL LOCK followed
>> by numbers 1 through 4 I can switch between computers.  For $20 I use a
>> generic brand that came with all the necessary cables and powers off os
>> ps2 ports. there is also a mnaul botton that I can use if keyboard 
>> freezes.
>>
>> Linux gets a little fritzy sometimes when I do a lot of switching and
>> moving around. the fix is a simple re-plug of keyboard usualy or mouse
>> if its realy bad.
>>
>> This is a good setup if you are experimenting with several boxes or
>> fixing computers or just a geek.
>>
>>
>>
>> if you are networking there is a network version you can use put out by
>> the people at realVNC.
>>
>> Does that answer your question.
>>
>>
>> Mike Chalmers wrote:
>> > I was wondering if anyone new about these and would explain them to
>> > me? Thanks.
>> >
>>
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>>
>
> You see I need to be able to run Windows so I could use certain pieces
> of software. That sounds very easy just being able to press scroll
> lock and then change to another OS, I think that is what you are
> saying?
>
> Could I run Windows while using Linux using KVM or should I use Xen?
> Which is faster? Is there a way to install either using yum? How do
> they work?
>