2nd Phase Planning - Virtualization 2nd round

[Aereto_Compuru]

Building up from the previous thread, I've done some things to help with my concept planning before I could set anything into implementation.

 

Spoiler

 

What I did in pieces of my time will be spoiler'd for size.

 

Spoiler

• Oracle VirtualBox has been removed from the primary gaming OS (Win 7 Ultimate), as it concludes that it may not meet expectations.
• A personal VPN is established in said primary OS with SoftEther. Tested with recently hardware-upgraded Win 10 Pro Laptop connected to phone's wi-fi hotspot for connectivity over internet and confirmed connection. Confirmed not to work on attempting to connect through school campus network (has much better connection speeds compared to the phone network). No passwords are used to connect and instead use certificates generated by the VPN server.
• Remote Desktop over VPN successful with configurations. Set to accept any protocol between VPN static addresses of two computers.
• NoMachine remote software installed as a test between same computers. Found to suffer from poor connection quality, likely from wi-fi hotspot. May be uninstalled from primary and be considered for use in the planned virtual machines due to having a Linux and Windows in the system.
• Enforcing a spending restriction, expenses directed to grocery and commute... and opportunities for purchase of low cost non-essential components such as PCI-E x1 USB Type-C add on, and internal card reader bay.
• Only 2 2.5" drive bay slots left, as that RAID 1 HDD pair is meant for primary OS due to having future roles in content production.
• Backing up the desktop is not possible; All available external HDDs lack the space and are already filled with backups from the laptops in use. At least 3TB USB 3 external HDD in the higher priority purchase list.

 

I have some more information to chew through, and still needs time and input. My primary PC's specs are thread-linked in the signature. As a note, it is intended to have two operating systems to choose from in the end of the phase, going to Primary Role by default with option to enter Server Role.

 

Spoiler

• I would consider using Linux to hold the virtualization role as close to hardware/full level as possible, but need discussion on what is the preferred virtualization solution, as I intend to perform isolated gaming environments (Windows VM), cross-platform build testing (Linux VM), and damage containment (both VMs). That would mean needing access to the hardware and its resource distribution, especially the GPU. Expected to only run 1 VM at a time until the family is willing to draw performance and certain programs from my computer without having to buy more licenses for Microsoft Office. As much as I have an opportunity for a school-provided Windows Server OS, I may save that key for a point in time I would like to have a domain for the Windows computers to work under, in addition to opportunities in practicing what I learned from my college courses.
• The VMs will be connected remotely from my laptop, as intended. The VPN should be able to provide a layer of security while performing remote access. Windows Remote Desktop would be used as default, but NoMachine for accessing the Linux VM.
• For an important challenge and obvious reasons, zero-cost software restriction remains a priority rule. Anything that requires expenses will push even the best of solutions to the bottom of the option list and given Last Resort status, which will only be considered during the implementation process.

 

Due to things in real life, I'll check the thread once in a while.

[Electronics Wizardy]

best virtuazation solution on linux is KVM.

 

 

What exactly are you doing this the server? How about running multipoint on windows server instead of vm's?

 

From what i see you doing,  just install windows server if you have a key. Then you can use multipoint if you want multiple users. If you want to play with linux, use hyper-v to make a vm.

[Aereto_Compuru]

2 hours ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

best virtuazation solution on linux is KVM.

 

 

What exactly are you doing this the server? How about running multipoint on windows server instead of vm's?

 

From what i see you doing,  just install windows server if you have a key. Then you can use multipoint if you want multiple users. If you want to play with linux, use hyper-v to make a vm.

I'll look into KVM when I have the opportunity.

 

My planned server is designed to be a personal learning environment on top of practical utilities while on that state. There, I can practice databases and their languages, and virtualization and their practical uses that I could make use.

 

I can't just install it right away, since I am waiting on an opportunity to buy a M.2 SSD, 2.5 SSD, and 2.5 HDD to setup a separate server operating system inside the desktop. I don't have room in all of my drives to reserve a server partition.

 

Of course, all of what Multipoint can do would mean nothing if any malware spreads beyond what is supposed to be an isolated environment. I'll cover as much bases before I would commit a plan.