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Multiple OS on single system

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by arjun_x

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Hi all. I'm setting up a student lab and need some help with the PC configuration. Four different classes will be held in this lab.

Class 1&2 both require PCs running WinXP
Class 3 requires PCs running Solaris 10
Class 4 requires PCs running Linux

I am planning on partitioning the harddrive for XP, linux and Solaris installations. However, I was wondering if there is an easier/better way of doing this.

A major issue is that each student must find his/her machine in the same state as it was when they last used it (so, I guess I can't reimage before each class...which is good as this would've been quite bothersome).

So, taking all this into account, could anyone provide me with THREE possible solutions and their pros/cons? (The more detail the better)

Your help and expertise is much appreciated!

3 replies

by bfilmfan

I recommend that you use GHOST and just make an image of each system after the students use it. Then you can redeploy the image to the systems as needed.

The other answer would be to use VMWare and just save the files as each guest operating system is just a file. Plus VMWare is free.

by arjun_x

Thanks for your input.

Isn't it a little clunky to get an image of every single machine after every single class and then to reload every single machine with its last image prior to the next class?

VMWare will probably do it...however, it may be a little taxing on the host machine.

My concern is that ARE these solutions really better than partitioning the harddrive and having multiple OSs on these machines?

This is why I wanted to get some discussion on the pros/cons of these various solutions.

Hope that clarifies my question.

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