Which OS is better for hosting a virtual machine?
I have to regularly use a Windows virtual machine (software testing, it’s a pretty good way to sandbox it) but my primary OS can easily be Windows or Linux. Assuming I’m running the same virtualization software in both OSs (say, Parallels or VMWare fusion), which would be faster, and would the difference be significant? My first impulse is that Linux would offer superior performance, but I haven’t been able to find any benchmarks addressing this specifically.
I think you misunderstand. I’m running Windows as a guest OS in either situation. Should Windows host a virtual Windows, or Linux host a virtual Windows?
Tagged with: benchmarks • first impulse • fusion • guest os • linux • machine software • parallels • virtual windows • virtualization software • windows virtual machine
Filed under: Hosting OS
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run windows as a guest…
linux and mac os x i/O is much more effective ( and also process isolation and screening )
I just ran a windows xp install under vmware fusion ( with an emulated virtual disk ) and it was faster than a native one
I wouldnt think the difference in speed would be significant if you think of it this way
Windows => virtualising => Linux
Linux => virtualising => Windows
They kind of balance out, its too hard to explain in words anyway
However, as a true believer of linux – where it uses less resources than windows, it can load from RAM much faster (well whats left of it)
Depends what you need it for.
DirectX and other 3D graphics often can’t be run in a virtualized environment. May want to consider Windows virtualizing Linux. Otherwise, if that’s not a concern, go the other route.