Running Debian as a Virtual Machine Host

Posted by Tone on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by Tone
Published on 2010-04-06T11:55:35Z Indexed on 2010/04/06 12:03 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 197

Filed under:

debian

|

virtual-machines

|

linux

I have a need to run a linux server to host subversion, bugzilla over Apache and also act as a file and print server. I also have a need to host Windows Server 2008 virtual machines for development purposes (I'm a .NET guy). The machine I have is a dual core AMD 2.5 Ghz w/2GB RAM. So here are my questions:

1) Should I run Debian (or some other distro) as the base AND create a Debian VM to host subversion, bugzilla and be my file/print server? or is it ok to use Debian as both my VM host and for those other reasons?

2) VMWare has a free server edition, Virtual Box also is another free option. Which one of these is better suited for what I need to do? Are there any other free (or inexpensive) alternatives out there?

3) Will I need a GUI with Debian in order to manage my VMs?

4) Can I run VMs without a GUI to conserve system resources?

© Server Fault or respective owner

Related posts about debian

Trying to update debian not working

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
As root i type this command apt-get update and get these error messages. > Err http://security.debian.org lenny/updates Release.gpg Could not resolve 'security.debian.org' Err http://security.debian.org lenny/updates/main… >>> More
Trouble with dns and debian update

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I tried to update my debian dreamplug server with the command running as root apt-get update and recieved these errors. Err http://security.debian.org lenny/updates Release.gpg Could not resolve 'security.debian… >>> More
Errors when installing Open Office

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
I followed the first set of instructions on this page to install Open Office: How to install Open Office? However, the last step which says to change the CHMOD of a folder, I got an error saying that the directory does not exist. Open Office now appears in my Ubuntu start menu, but clicking… >>> More
Installing PHP4 on a Debian (lenny) 7 32bit box

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I am trying to install PHP4 on a Debian 7 32bit box but I ran into the following root@php4:~# apt-get update Get:1 http://snapshot.debian.org lenny Release.gpg [189 B] Hit http://snapshot.debian.org lenny Release Ign http://snapshot.debian.org lenny Release Hit http://snapshot.debian.org lenny/main… >>> More
Debian keyring error: "No keyring installed"

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I have a Debian Squeeze EC2 AMI. On booting up an instance with it and trying to install packages with apt-get I get errors saying there is no keyring installed. Here is the error with apt-get update: root@ip:~# apt-get update Get:1 http://ftp.us.debian.org squeeze Release.gpg [1672 B] Ign http://ftp… >>> More

Related posts about virtual-machines

VBoxHeadless - Running Virtual Machines With VirtualBox 3.1.x On A Headless Fedora 12 Server

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
<b>Howtoforge:</b> "This guide explains how you can run virtual machines with Sun VirtualBox 3.1.x on a headless Fedora 12 server. Normally you use the VirtualBox GUI to manage your virtual machines, but a server does not have a desktop environment. Fortunately, VirtualBox comes with… >>> More
Windows Azure Virtual Machine Test Drive Kit

as seen on Geeks with Blogs - Search for 'Geeks with Blogs'
The public preview of hosted Virtual Machines in Windows Azure is now available to the general public. This platform preview enables you to evaluate our new IaaS and Enterprise Networking capabilities. Once you have registered for the 90 Day Free Trial and created a new account, you can access the… >>> More
Quick and clean ways to clone virtual machines

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I have 2 hypervisors running. One is an ESXi 4, the other one a Hyper-V 2008 R2. My question is: What is the cleanest and easiest way to clone a machine under each hypervisor without using any centralized management tool. Thanks. >>> More
VMware Workstation: suspend all virtual machines with vmrun

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I know I can suspend a given VMware virtual machine on the command line with: vmrun suspend /path/to/virtual_machine_file.vmx Is there any way to suspend all virtual machines at once using vmrun? Something like vmrun suspend all? >>> More
Virtual Machines Renaming/Backing up/Sharing

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I've started using VMware virtual machines for all of my software development projects and have a few questions for others doing the same thing. First, how can you rename the virtual machine and the name of the virtual hard drive? I have a base development machine that I clone for different projects… >>> More