Virtualization noob need recommendations.

[srothman]

Can't really add any more than what's already been said in earlier points, but if you are merely looking for a sandbox to test in, I would just stick with something like Oracle Virtualbox. Quickest to get up and running, and less to configure (and go wrong).

I am curious as to what you are trying to achieve though, especially considering your (very long) opening e-mail. You have a piñata of disciplines listed. In my experience, that very often leads nowhere. You seem eager though, so please prove me wrong.

 

[HApyM3al]

Can't really add any more than what's already been said in earlier points, but if you are merely looking for a sandbox to test in, I would just stick with something like Oracle Virtualbox. Quickest to get up and running, and less to configure (and go wrong).

I am curious as to what you are trying to achieve though, especially considering your (very long) opening e-mail. You have a piñata of disciplines listed. In my experience, that very often leads nowhere. You seem eager though, so please prove me wrong.

what I am trying to achieve is more control over my own network at home. AD; domain controller etc. Then for rest is to have on site can test and break etc. I am sick of running 3 different computers to try test stuffAWS/Azure - upload and test and all that. where at home can run the tests and break and move on. everything locally is faster of course. if i had better connecting - AWS for sure would be route id take. I still could because of works connecting but most of stuff I try after work hours.

disciplines:
CCNA and CCNP in routing and switching = work related - I want to learn these to understand more and get further.
CCNA voice - I have an idea that want to try out and voip is the core product behind it.
CCNA security - we all need more security.

Python + Java + Node.js + SQL etc = in way to show myself I can do it but as well goes with the CCNA voice stuff, need database and program to run it dont I? well yeah. this is for myself, even if dont achieve the core idea, it won't hurt having learnt everything and for sure will use it somewhere in future . The idea I have is pretty cool and simple for matter of fact, just trying to build the background and my own knowledge.

Wall of text had in the following comments: I am one of those people that need to keep busy other wise I get bored. If I'm bored and doing something productive/bettering myself whom is to stop me?

 

[PsyWulf]

Get a microserver. As much ram and storage as possible and go to town testing away if you want the homelab. Which hypervisor is really a nonpoint. Try them all

 

[srothman]

what I am trying to achieve is....

snip

....ed to keep busy other wise I get bored. If I'm bored and doing something productive/bettering myself whom is to stop me?

I apologise if my previous comment came across as hostile or rude, it wasn't my intention. I never said you can't, and nobody is trying to stop you. You're just overcomplicating your request, so pardon me for trying to understand. Next time just ask "What is the easiest way to run x amount of virtual machines to test 1-2-3".

Anyways, I agree with PsyWulf. Unless you're going to code against a specific virtual platform, or you have a requireemnt for anything specific, the flavor of hypervisor becomes a moot point. try them all. It'll keep you busy.

 

[irBosOtter]

That's like recommending a Bugatti Veyron for someones first car, who cant afford it.

Well, I suppose it's overkill but you have to start somewhere lol.
Can work out better specs if the amount of memory and storage and CPU is given, then one can work from there.
Usually memory and storage that's the expensive parts. If you don't need 100GB memory per host things can become a lot cheaper, and also maybe only start with one CPU per host and only two network cards.
You could also use internal storage to start off with, at some small branches we have a standalone ESXi server, (x3550 1U server with 4 internal disks raid 5, one 6 core Xeon 2.8Ghz CPU, 32GB memory,) and we run a few production servers on that, nothing hectic, just a Domain controller, print server and SQL/Web serverplus a dev server, all win 2008 servers.

 

[Rickster]

Well, I suppose it's overkill but you have to start somewhere lol.

So whats wrong with using a budget PC to use VM's?


Please be realistic.

 

[HApyM3al]

I apologise if my previous comment came across as hostile or rude, it wasn't my intention. I never said you can't, and nobody is trying to stop you. You're just overcomplicating your request, so pardon me for trying to understand. Next time just ask "What is the easiest way to run x amount of virtual machines to test 1-2-3".

Anyways, I agree with PsyWulf. Unless you're going to code against a specific virtual platform, or you have a requireemnt for anything specific, the flavor of hypervisor becomes a moot point. try them all. It'll keep you busy.

no problem and i am appreciating everyones advice except for this irBosOtter. think he wants me to buy some insane server from him lol....

NOT GONNA HAPPEN BUDDY haha.