Is there a way to run Windows XP in my ESX 3.5 environment and then "operate" the OS from a Linux computer?

[CraigD]

Is there a way to run Windows XP in my ESX 3.5 environment and then "operate" the OS from a Linux computer? At this point I just want to demonstrate it and see how well it works, but I could potentially avoid buying some new desktops this way. Again, what I'd like to do is use VMware Converter to convert an old Windows XP desktop computer and place the VM on my ESX system. This way the OS runs faster. I would then like to install Ubuntu (?) Linux onto the desktop hardware and have it auto-start some sort of client software that will connect to the Windows XP VM and make it appear to the user as if the OS is running on the desktop computer .... basically make a VMware thin client out of an old desktop PC.

I have searched for this solution, but the search terms used (VMware client, etc) turn up lots and lots of hits that are not applicable.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Hi Craig, your post has been moved to the VI: Virtual Machine and Guest OS forum

Dave Mishchenko

VMware Communities User Moderator

[stevieg]

After you've converted it to a Virtual Machine, ensure networking works, then enable Remote Desktop on the XP machine.

Then use rdesktop on Ubuntu to connect to it, or make it "thin" with something like thinstation (http://thinstation.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/ThIndex)

[CraigD]

Good thought. I guess I had blinders on trying to come up with something VMware-related. ...didn't think if using RDP. Question: Is the rdesktop client you mentioned part of the standard Ubuntu package or is it a separate product I'll need to obtain?

[stevieg]

Yes it should be. If it isn't then sudo apt-get install rdesktop should install it.

The run it fullscreen (or make a link) to it with command line parameters a bit like rdesktop -f -a 16 -x l hostname which will be full screen, 16 bits per pixel with "LAN" experience (all effects)

Edit: Thinstation might be worth considering though... You can make a boot cd that will automatically do all this, and thinstation also provide "online" boot disk makers so you don't need to configure anything (such as this one here http://thinstation.taylorsolutionsonline.net/TSoM/# - one of a few available on this page http://thinstation.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/ThDownload#TOM )

[wila]

Or you can avoid the command line completely by installing tsclient as that is a GUI wrapper for rdesktop.

In addition tsclient also gives you a wrapper for VNC and ICA if one of those is installed on your linux desktop.

Works like a dream

--

Wil

[ibmer007]

Hi Craig & others considering similar solution,

You might should consider VMware VDI or newly known as VMware View if you have some budget for it :).

"Nothing can't be virtualized, even people"

VMware Certified Professiona (VCP)

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