VMWare...

[Inzu]

What are the odds that someone built a working version of the server in a virtual machine environment? I just think it may be a bit easier for distribution, duplication, and reloading the server at someone tinkers it to death.

[whasf]

I've run DS fine under VMWare (windows guest)

[Inzu]

I was wondering if anyone had a distributable copy of the VMware image. So instead of configuring and updating everything, more of a plug and play thing. I got finals this weekend, so I'm tied up with school, and recently discovered this and interested in tinkering when my time clears up next week.

[whasf]

Can't really do that as we'd have to distribute a licensed copy of Windows along with it.

[altalus]

I run mine in a windows 7 hosted in VirtualBox. And I agree with whasf, unless you build a server on a Linux Guest you cannot really distribute it.

[xipies]

I don't know if this breaks licensing. VMware has sparse (differencing) virtual HDD. This is the default behaviour for imported XP mode virtual HDD. For Win7 users, this might be an option if licensing is not broken.

VMware VDDK can be used to manage VMDK files.

[bluekirby0]

I could throw together a small linux VM for you when I have less going on. The resource requirements are tiny compared to a windows VM and there are no licensing issues. The only downside is that the linux builds only get attention occasionally so you may have to do a little footwork if your builds fail.

[Melodina]

could trigger oob flag so it removes the key, and would require a key for them to use.
this is a way around licensing cause your not distributing a licensed product...

[bluekirby0]

Still, M$ is very picky about distributing even clean install discs of Windows products. Plus, running this on a Windows VM seems like kind of a waste unless you are planning to develop for the project. Linux uses significantly fewer resources especially since you don't even need an X server to run it.

[PrBlahBlahtson]

Personally, I don't see what's so hard about just following the wiki guide. It's pretty comprehensive, and if you follow the steps carefully and Google anything you're not sure about (opening ports...), then it's pretty easy to do.

Failing that, VirtualBox + Ubuntu Server ISO + Linux guide.