Hay I have a Dell PowerEdge 2600 and I need an os on there. I was planning to use a virtualization os so I could use it like a desktop. My problem is I can’t find any freeware or open source os. If anyone does know how to put a desktop os on it please reply. Sorry I dont have alot of information about it, havent started the project yet. Im more confused about the bios.
soz, your asking for a VM? you need a base OS for that, I think. most operating systems don't have built-in virtual machines, but oracle has a free program for that.
however, the power edge really is not suited for use as a desktop rig, more for server use. it would make an amazing NAS and super router, you got some nice old hardware, for server-type uses. it even predates ddr2, it maxes out at 6 gigs of ddr, which would'nt cost that much, because they don't make it any more.
Well, there isn't really such a thing as a virtualization OS. In fact, all software is virtual in the first place since it does not exist physically. When you setup a Virtual Machine (VM), you are virtualizing the physical hardware of a would-be computer. This virtual hardware is derived from the physical hardware of your host computer, in this case, the PowerEdge 2600.
A lot of people get this confused but there really isn't much difference between server and desktop hardware except for that they are "optimized", or "built for" the task they generally do more of and obviously server hardware is more robust and built to take 24/7 usage moreso than desktop hardware would in most cases.
A x64 CPU is a x64 CPU, it doesn't care if the software or OS is "desktop" or "server", all it cares is that the software adheres to the x64 instruction set. Likewise, an x64 OS is a x64 OS, it doesn't care if your CPU is "desktop" or "server" all it cares is that you run it on a x64 CPU.
Windows Vista, 7, and 8 have the exact same code bases as Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2, and 2012, respectively. The only difference between the desktop and server versions is the included features/software/capabilities, etc.
So basically what I'm saying is there's no reason why you can't just go install Windows 7 or 8 on that "server" computer. Although I'm not sure why you would even want to use this machine. I looked up the specs and they are ancient. The machine was released in 2003 according to the official Dell documentation and I don't think it could even run Windows 7 natively due to system requirements. Keeping in mind that running even a single VM is going to require pretty much double what a native OS install would require since you'd be running two OSes altogether. Not to mention trying to find drivers for a machine from 2003, especially one so niche.
For the love of sanity, the factory installed OS is Windows 2000 Server.... Just spend $500 on a modern PC and call it a day...
Okay you have a 2600, I also have a poweredge 2600 and right now I'll tell you you wont be pulling much with it in terms of virtualization. Second of all the Poweredge 2600 SCREAMS under load, what are the fans? 92mm at like 4000 RPM? If I were you I'd just throw Server 2008 on it and have some fun with it, if you need virtualization for learning, a Poweredge 2950 is a good option. As far as a full blown desktop goes, servers aren't designed to run super fast on average like a modern day desktop would, and the boot time is atrocious. The Poweredge 2600 is usually used for low intensity tasks such as data storage backups, network storage, or an apache web server at best.
If you're hell bent on using it as a 24/7 machine (which is a waste due to the insane power draw of the machine), CentOS works fine on it, I just finished using CentOS on it and moved over to Server 2008 for another project. Also, you shouldn't be able to install Server 2012 as last I heard it requires an x64 processor, which the PE2600 does not have.
Just remember whatever you do, that machine pulls about 700W under load with a maximum of 2 single core processors, so you wont get far in terms of virtualization, I know of people that have been able to install XP onto them but they had to do some workarounds with the drivers, while still being forced to leave some functions out as well. If yours is like mine and is maxed out with 6 15,000 RPM SCSI drives then I'd just use it for data storage/backups or something, but like I said, Server 2008 or CentOS should work if you really really want it to, it just wouldn't be worth it money wise.
If you really want to get into virtualization though, PE2950 or pick up an old AMD quad core machine for under $300, install ESXi or Xen and you're set.
Well my purpose is to set up a computer cluster. I have about 10 rigged out pc hooked up via gigaport (however it’s spelt) to an internet switcher to the master node (server). I just need it to relay the information to another computer for analysis. The server will hopefully (threw code) organize the data. I already have maxed out everything on it (thanks from a few connections), I’m just having trouble finding the software.
Lolwut you guys there is a virtualization OS. Multiple in fact.
Check out ProxMox it's for running VM's on "bare metal" so it actually installs as your OS and it's free.
You could also get VMWare ESX server (or is it VSphere?), it would cost a bit I think (unless you have a pegleg).
Google them and see how you get on.
I'm sad now... ;(
I have never heard of ProxMox before but I don't see how it's a virtualization OS though. It just looks like a Type 1 virtualization hypervisor.
This site describes Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors like this:
The material describes a Type 1 hypervisor as running directly on the hardware with VM resources provided by the hypervisor. The IBM Systems Software Information Center material further states that a Type 2 hypervisor runs on a host operating system to provide virtualization services.
VMWare ESXi 5.0 is free IIRC. My friend uses it to virtualize a bunch of servers for his house including his NAS.
Proxmox is probably the best fit for you it has a nice web based gui and you can easily download snapshots of the guest os.
There are also XenServer and ESXi but they are more cloud based stuff they dont have the same simple web based gui as proxmox.
Proxmox is not really a virtualisation os in fact its even arguable if it is considered bare metal. I guess it would be considered a linux distro as its really just the linux kernel with kvm and a small userland. But that said its about as bare metal as you can get ESXi and XenServer are considered bare metal and again they are pretty much just linux kernel with some form of virtualisation and a small userland.