What is my daily round?
- I am a consultant and have to make demos and presentations every week as well as to work on projects
- I have to run multiple virtual machines, most of them x64 based
- All VMs have to run on Hyper-V (I am working at Microsoft), I have many preinstalled VMs/vhd
- I need also client experience
- Working on laptop I want relevant power management
- Using of WiFi network as connectivity for my VMs
- The computer has to be domain joined
Where was the issue with Windows 7 (Enterprise)
- There was not an option to run x64 bit Hyper-V VMs on Windows 7
- I configured my laptop for dual boot with Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V role enabled – disadvantages:
- Often I have to switch (reboot) between Windows 7 and Server
- No sleep function on Windows server
- Could not use the WiFi network as external network for Hyper-V
A real business case
Waiting for boarding on Zagreb’s airport I was writing a project document on my Windows 7 PC. I had to add a screenshot of tool for SharePoint 2010 (console app) which I developed during the build phase. Options:
- To reboot the laptop, run in server mode, start a VM, snap the tool and reboot back to 7 – Wow, awfully!
- To send the app (.exe) to friend, ask him to run the tool, to make a screen shot and return it back via E-mail – sounds better, right?
I choose the 2nd option!
Now, the solution!
Finally I am happy, Windows 8 is exactly what I want!
- My Hyper-V VMs work with no need of dual boot!
- I can use the wireless link in virtual network – could have a real working environment everywhere
- Could use dynamic memory and assign up to 8 virtual processors per VM (I have quad core Intel i7 with HT)
- Even on PC sleep, when a VM is powered on, it comes back again on wake up
- I can use all my other tools and apps when I work on VM, perfect!
Do not wait to improve your life, do it now!
