Possible to run Microsoft Exchange in a virtual environment in Windows 7?

[Narmer]

I need to run some tests on it. I have Windows 7 Pro. Is it possible to run it in Virtual PC (VPC)? I doubt it since VPC is only 32-bit and Windows Server needs to be 64-bit. If not, what can I use?

 

[theevilsharpie]

VMware Player if you need just a single basic virtual machine. If you want a more involved virtual lab environment, try VMware Workstation.

 

[Narmer]

VMware Player if you need just a single basic virtual machine. If you want a more involved virtual lab environment, try VMware Workstation.

Thanks. How does it compare to VirtualBox?

 

[mtnd3vil]

Thanks. How does it compare to VirtualBox?

Roughly the same VM performance and efficiency. I prefer the UI on virtualbox.
The fact that VB is free and VMware workstation costs money makes VB the hands down winner.

 

[Narmer]

Roughly the same VM performance and efficiency. I prefer the UI on virtualbox.
The fact that VB is free and VMware workstation costs money makes VB the hands down winner.

Thanks. Does VB have a smaller footprint over VMware Player?

 

[Chiefcrowe]

You can also try VMWare server which is free. I've found it to be quite good.

 

[Narmer]

You can also try VMWare server which is free. I've found it to be quite good.

Of those three, which one has the smallest footprint?

 

[Dahak]

also depending on which version of windows server you are going to run on you may need to have 4gb or more of ram as well. I had tried sbs 2008 and it needs 4gb to install.

 

[Narmer]

also depending on which version of windows server you are going to run on you may need to have 4gb or more of ram as well. I had tried sbs 2008 and it needs 4gb to install.

OK. I have 8GB.

 

[lxskllr]

MS has a 64bit VirtualPC. VirtualBox works well, but I've never used it for Exchange.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

I don't know exactly about the others but my vmware server takes up about 70MB ram plus whatever you allocate to the guest.
It's really easy to set up and use plus it's a free download. I was also able to take the VM and migrate it to my new windows 7 machine after reformatting with no problem.

I like it a lot better than virtualPC. I haven't tried virtualbox yet.

Of those three, which one has the smallest footprint?

 

[Narmer]

Thanks guys. I'm using VMware and it runs very well. However, I'm having a minor problem. I cannot make it fullscreen. It's not a big deal but annoying.