I need to run Running 4 windows server 2008 Guests from USB - suggestions?

[winder30]

Hi,

I'm a student and need to run 4 windows server 2008 guests as part of a networking course.
This will be on a single computer (not mine) with a shared login that I have no control over.
Files are stored locally and the pc is shared so I would prefer to run the guests from hardware which I have control over...
Would this be doable with a 32GB+ USB stick? If so, would I need something very fast like Sandisk Extreme or could I get by with a slower drive?
There are USB 3.1 ports present.

[socratis]

Would this be doable with a 32GB+ USB stick?

• Doable, sure. I assume that you know how to have the whole VM moved to a different than the default folder.
• 32/4=8 GB per client, that is borderline HD size for an installation of a single server.
• Fast? I wouldn't know, I don't have the specifications. Of course the faster, the better.

[mpack]

Speed isn't the only problem: USB sticks are not famous for their reliability. Many will overheat if written to continuously. They are intended to be a transport or backup device, not a local drive replacement. There is also the danger of absent-mindedly unplugging the drive while the VM is running.

[Martin]

It will probabely work much better with a small USB harddrive.

[scottgus1]

If the USB hard drive is a platter drive, it should be at least 3.0, and even then more than two OS's on one SATA platter drive had sluggish behavior - on USB it may be worse. Borrow someone's drive and do some experiments before committing to a setup and spending lots of cash. The host should also have 3.0 or later USB ports.

Consider at least a USB 3.0 SSD, or two for four guests.

Also remember that memory will be a restriction unless the host PC is well stocked.

a shared login that I have no control over.

Virtualbox will have to be installed on the host, and you'll need to at least borrow an admin's privileges to do the install right. (Assuming it is a Windows computer, the installer can be run on the shared account but it has to be right-clicked-Run-As-Administrator, and you will need an admin password.)