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Run Multiple O/S and protect your data With VMWare
Author: | Monday November 25, 2002
This article is a kind of part 2 to the \"Run Multiple O/S Concurrently with VMWare\" article I wrote previously. This article discusses some other uses besides using VMWare for multiple operating systems.
Protecting the VMWare Operating System's Data and Environment
One of the smoother features of VMWare is that it has the capability to offer the user the option to not write any data when powering off the VMWare Slave. What does this mean to you? Lets say for instance you would like to install a certain software application for just one use and test it within VMWare's current operating sytem. When you are complete and powering off, VMWare will prompt you if you would like to write the data. If you decide not to write, the next time you boot VMWare with that operating system, it will be as if you made no changes what's so ever.
One of the first things that come to my mind are Libraries, Schools and Internet Cafes.
Boot Installed VMWare Operating System within Multiple Operating Systems
Another handy feature of VMWare is that you can boot a VMWare Operating System within any other host operating system. Lets say you have a dual boot machine running an MS Windows O/S and Linux. If VMWare is installed in both of those hosts, all of the VMWare Operating Systems will be available to you no matter which operating system you boot into.
This would work well with Microsoft Office. If you need Microsoft Office in Both Windows and Linux, it will always be available with all of the same settings no matter which host operating system you boot into.
*Note: You will need a filesystem which both Host Operating Systems can utilize. FAT32 wil fit the bill nicely.
Security
You could use a VMWare operating system for secure files and have multiple levels of encryption. Envrypt the host file system and then encrypt the VMWare file system. This is great for paranoid people or laptop users.
Backing Up
One of the real beauties of VMWare is the simplicity of backup. All you need to do is power off the VMWare Slave and copy the virtual file system files to whatever medium you choose. This is a matter of copying 4-5 files and the whole system is backed up.
Virus
Run your email application (especially the one that seems to always have some sort of virus alert - you know which one) within VMWare and protect the rest of your system.
Finish
As you can see, VMWare has a lot of uses and a lot of potential. Download the free trial from http://www.vmware.com and you be the judge.
Author
HumanX
LinuxDig.Com
humanx@linuxdig.com
If you have questions or comments, please feel free to write.
Please feel free to distribute this article, as long as the author information stays intact. If you modify the article, please send me a copy.
Copyright 2002
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