[NTLUG:Discuss] a new use for vmware

[Chris Cox]

"J. Reeves Hall" wrote:
> > alh wrote:
...snip...
> > that since vmware sends its output  to X couldnt it do it over tcp/ip
> > as well?
...snip...
> I've done it before. I accessed my X desktop across Georgia Tech's
> campus network with a VNC client for NT. VMWare's display updates were
> SLOOOOOOOW, but it worked.
> I don't see it as being practical though. It used a lot of bandwidth,
> and WMWare+Win98=$$$.

Run VNC server under Windowswhatever under VMWare.  This is what I do.
Performance is normal VNC (PCanywhere) performance.  I've used it across
a 56K connection....slow, but doable.

The VNC protocol is designed to be generic while being somewhat efficient.
It won't beat lbx probably...but for what it does...it does pretty
well.

On the cost issue.....if you figure a good Windows X-server (like
Hummingbird) could run you $500, the price of VMWare plus Windows isn't
so bad (especially on new equipment where Windows is probably already
rolled into the price....so....for example:

Exceed   $500

or 

VMWare   $300 (assuming corporate license)
Linux    Free
Windows  $50-80 (or $150-$200 for NT)

The VMWare solution comes out ahead in most cases against this kind
of configuration.  Personally, I've used other vendor's X servers...and
I keep having to come back to Hummingbird (though their X11r5 implementation
does have bugs).

...and of course, this solution gets Linux in da house!

Regards,
Chris