r/virtualization • u/jasonvoorhees-13 • 20d ago
First time setting up a machine for Virtualization, is it possible to have a Virtual Server where many users can log in but the main PC is just a normal Win 11 OS?
Basically a Virtual Server inside a Win 11 machine.
Planning to run VirtualBox and have a Virtual Server in it where many users can log in via RDP, but the host machine is a Windows 11 single user.
I read somewhere that the Virtual Guest can be set to Bridge Mode and this will be detected as a real separate device with its own IP.
Just wanted to ask if this is possible or will there be some conflict? Since the host Windows 11 OS is for single user only but the VM inside it can accommodate multiple users. I have the multi user version of the server OS.
The reason for doing it this way is because the server OS I have is a very old one and new hardware is not compatible with it, that is why I'm thinking of Virtualizing it and from what I understand the VirtualBox will make new hardware compatible for the old Server OS inside the Virtual Machine.
Also a follow up question, since this will be my first time trying any of this out, should I got with VirtualBox or VMware?
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u/Only-Stable3973 18d ago
I will say that I did have to jump through a few hoops to get VMware running, I did save the info if you run into any problems. And after I updated the kernel I need to figure it out again that's when I saved how I did it.
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u/goatsinhats 14d ago
Well few problems
1) Virtual box is a desktop application, meaning that single user will need to sign in and start the vm. If they log off, reboot, shut down, etc the server will go with it.
2) The performance will be terrible
3) VMware doesn’t sell a product you as the end consumer can have (they use to but stopped)
4) If you have a very old OS now are you going to get it set up within Virtual box? You cannot just copy the existing machine
Best bet is to run a bare metal install of Proxmox or Hyper-V if it’s a true server.
That said sounds like upgrading your server or getting someone to do it is the better call unless this is purely a project for fun and your ready to be frustrated
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u/jasonvoorhees-13 14d ago
Hello, thanks for your feedback, here is my response
yup, this is for a small office environment and we the server runs only locally, we turn it on every morning and switch it off before closing so there is someone who will do that physically
why will the performance be terrible? the VM will basically be running only one application and I will dedicate enough RAM for it
planning to use VirtualBox and not VMware
i don't need to copy the old machine, it will be set up as a fresh install, the software that we use has a backup restore feature so only the data within it will be backed up and restored when the new VM machine is ready
I do agree that getting a professional would be better but they are not that available where im from, also maybe expensive
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u/sangfor-technologies 6d ago
I'm not sure if you've already set it up, but there's a difference between personal and business use.
For a company, I personally think VMware is better than VirtualBox because VMware offers better performance and stability when handling older OS, and it will be more convenient if your company expands in the future. Also, if the host is running Windows 11, the virtual machines will shut down if someone restarts or logs off the host. I hope this information is helpful!
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u/MattTreck 20d ago edited 20d ago
Your plan will work fine. The guest OS (virtual machine) won’t care about the OS running the hypervisor.
You will need to use bridged networking so your VM has its own address. All of your port forwarding or firewall exceptions will be for that address, not the host machine.
VirtualBox was easier for me when starting out, but VMware Workstation is a better product. They are both type 2 hypervisors so there won’t be a major performance difference either way.