Widescreen Virtual Linux Workstation via VMWare and Ubuntu

Long time readers of this site know that I've pursued dual boot and Linux workstation setups in the past. I often need to work on a Unix-based system for development, but pretty much always need access to Windows workstations as well. The net result has left me with a WinXP workstation/server and a Debian workstation/server on my desk and other servers as necessary.

However, what I've wanted all along is to have Linux right on my true primary workstation: my laptop. I tried several times to get Linux to cooperate with my previous laptop, going as far as paying for an "expert" to install it. That resulted in his insistance that 1024×768, stretched to 1280×800 wasn't, in fact stretched, but the way that the fonts were "supposed" to work. Given that I specifically requested that the *native* resolution, built-in 802.11g card and a few other things needed to work in order for it to be a success, the failure of those first 2 things to work left me quickly erasing the effort.

Enter VMWare. I'm not sure when the last time I messed with VMWare was, but I do know that the useful versions weren't free at the time. Last week, I was messing with Qemu to try and get a simple way to have a clean Win2K machine at my beck and call for some Windows specific things that have proven difficult on machines being used for other things. I wanted a way to just grab a clean machine and get going, mess things up and start over without spending 4 hours reinstalling Windows.

Qemu definitely still looks like it will do the job, but in the process, I checked out VMWare again. Their Player will play any virtual machine that's already created, but recently they made their *Server* free as well, which lets yo u create your own virtual machines easily. I downloaded it and got the free installation key and sat down to set some stuff up.

I created a Windows virtual machine that had sound, USB, CD access, bridged ethernet (actually gets its own IP address from my local network) and 256MB of RAM. I shoved a Win2K CD into the drive and booted my new virtual machine. There, in a little 800×600 window was my new Windows machine, installing Win2K.

A few hours later, I had a completely patched Win2K machine that I've since archived (and will keep updated/patched). I've used it a bit and am really finding this way of working with Windows handy. But, what about Linux?

Well, I grabbed an ISO of Ubuntu Linux and burned it to CD. I usually use Debian when I need Linux, because of the apt package management, which makes keeping the thing patched, much easier. When I noticed that Ubuntu also uses apt, I decided to give that a whirl.

So, I created another virtual machine, using most of the same settings and shoved the Ubuntu CD into the drive and booted the VM up. It led me through the standard installer screens (still not too terribly user-friendly), and was thrilled to not only be asked what resolutions I wanted to use, but to see widescreen resolutions in the list. I finished the install and clicked the fullscreen button.

Lo and behold, I have a fullscreen Linux workstation on my laptop. It has wireless access. It has USB access. It has sound. And, it's not stretching the display. I do believe I will be using this little virtual workstation on the job as an easy way to completely customize my environment without messing with "official" setups. In some companies, getting admin access is harder than nearly anything else, making writing software a difficult task. On the virtual machine, however, I have complete control and can set up whatever I need without messing their precious Windows workstation.

If you'd like to do this yourself, you just need VMWare's Player or Server, this config setup/virtual machine, and an Ubuntu CD. Insert the CD and boot up the virtual machine. It will read the CD and get going.