virtualbox.org

Hi.
Sorry for the cryptic subject.
I have a client that has an app that has to run in XP. We are replacing all the XP workstations (10) and I am attempting to use Virtual box.
So far I have installed vb on one new Win7 machine. Loaded XP in the virtualbox and installed the app. Finally got it tweaked and it was running fast as lightning.

I copied the XP.vdi to a second machine and at first it ran fine but then the first one crapped out. Checked and it was using the same MAC address and computer name. So I changed both on the first machine and it seems to be working now but both copy are running much slower now.

My question is: is what I am trying to do possible? Just taking a copy of the first XP.vdi and running it on 10 machines. What are the downfalls? What do I need to adjust for each machine?
This is a short term solution until they select another production application that will run natively in windows 7. We are retiring the 10 existing XP workstations.

Thanks in advanced.
Sean

Copying VDI's is not the recommended way to clone VMs. If you must copy then copy the entire VM folder, not just the VDI.

You would then need to make a number of changes to the XP guest. You've already discovered the MAC address. Did you also remember about the computer name? If the network sees two computers with the same name then things may get confused (MAC identfies the network interface card, not the PC because a PC can have several NICs).

Thanks mpack for the response.

What is the preferred way to create copies?
I did actually copy the entire folder that contains the .vdi snapshot folder, logs folder etc. But if there is a better way please advise.

I changed the MAC address and computer name on the new copy (virtual1, virtual2 etc.) Anything else I need to look at changing?

The virtualbox will be running apps located on the server. Currently I am using the Bridge Network adapter. Is that the best choice? I can use the NAT but I get a different subnet.
It seems the bridged adapter works better but if you have another suggestion I would be happy to try it.

Your advise is much appreciated.

If you are copying between hosts then copying the VM folder is fine - double click the .vbox file on the other host to register it there. If you want two or more copies of the VM on the same host then you would use the VM Clone feature (right click and select "Clone").

Bridged would be best for a peer to peer network.

I'm not really an expert on general networking, I advise to get Googling on that.

Thanks mpack.
Will give it a try and see how it works. Worst case we RDP to the server and work off of it.

Thanks again.
Sean