Virtual pc

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Microsoft® [ Virtual PC 2004 Technical Overview ]
By Jerry Honeycutt [ ]
Published November 2003
Abstract
Microsoft® Virtual PC 2004 allows users to conveniently run multiple operating systems on a single computer. Users can switch operating systems as easily as they switch applications—instantly, with a mouse click. As a migration tool, Virtual PC provides a cost-effective safety netfor certain employees to run critical legacy applications on an interim basis while you continue migrating to a new operating system. Virtual PC also helps companies more rapidly develop, test, support, and deploy applications. This document presents a technical overview of Virtual PC and how it can benefit your company.

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Contents
Acknowledgments 3
Virtual PC Overview 4
Virtual PC Features 7
PC Virtualization 8
Virtual Hard Disks 9
Networking 10
Virtual Machine Additions 12
Virtual PC Requirements 13
Virtual PC in Action 15
Installation 15
Configuration 15
Guest Operating Systems 17
Guest Applications 19
Virtual PC Scenarios 20Legacy Support 20
Technical Support 21
Quality Assurance 22
Training 23
Migration Testing 23
Summary 26
For More Information 27
Acknowledgments
Bryan Chee, Microsoft Corporation
Kurt Schmucker, Microsoft Corporation
Carla Huffman, Microsoft Corporation
Robert Larson, Microsoft Corporation
Ben Armstrong, Microsoft Corporation
Elsa Rosenberg, Studio B Productions
David Talbott, Studio BProductions
Virtual PC Overview
Microsoft® Virtual PC 2004 is software that lets users run two or more x86 operating systems on their computers—concurrently. It prevents complicated multi-boot configurations in environments where people must use multiple operating systems (whether because of incompatible legacy applications or as a safeguard during migration). Users install multiple guestoperating systems in virtual machines. Figure 1 shows Microsoft Windows® XP Professional with two virtual machines open: Windows NT® Workstation 4.0 and Windows 98. Virtual PC emulates a physical computer so exactly that the applications users install in them don’t distinguish the virtual machine from a physical computer. Instead of installing operating systems on multiple, costly computers or...