Solaris or Linux and Windows at the same time?

[roadworrier]

I'm a software developer, and we have binary releases for Linux, Solaris and Windows. I constantly run Windows XP under Parallels in MacOSX. Occasionally I'll need to check something out in Solaris. Unfortunately, when I do that, the WindowsXP grinds to a crawl. Or if I try to run Linux the same thing happens. It seems that I can only run a single virtual OS at a time, and get acceptable performance. (I don't need super fast... just clicking and not having to wait, or typing and not having to wait to see what I typed).

Is there any solution for this? Point me to a thread if it's already been discussed here, I couldn't find any answers in my searches.

My MacBook Pro has 2gb of RAM, I have 512mb allocated WinXP, and 256mb allocated each to Fedora Core 5 Linux and Solaris 10. I'm running Parallels 1970

Ideally I would like to just leave Solaris, Linux and WinXP up and running all the time, but I'd take just two virtual OSes at a time if it can be done.

 

[rjgebis]

Are you running Linux and Solaris in init 5 mode? if so I would recommend running them in console. That is what I do under all releases and runs ok. If you need to run X apps from Solaris or Linux than install X under Apple and DISPLAY from Linux or Solaris to Mac. That is that I do when I need GUI App. I am also on MBP Code Dual 2B RAM

VM set to auto
XP : 512Mb
Linux: 128Mb
Solaris 256Mb

 

[roadworrier]

Are you running Linux and Solaris in init 5 mode? if so I would recommend running them in console. That is what I do under all releases and runs ok. If you need to run X apps from Solaris or Linux than install X under Apple and DISPLAY from Linux or Solaris to Mac. That is that I do when I need GUI App. I am also on MBP Code Dual 2B RAM

VM set to auto
XP : 512Mb
Linux: 128Mb
Solaris 256Mb

Huh, interesting. I'll try that. I pretty much just use the CDE or GNOME desktop environments so I can have many console windows open at a time, but I suppose I could just as easily ssh in multiple times from the Mac or XP, and I do have X11 installed under OSX already if needed.

Thanks.

 

[dkp]

I do this all the time - I've given each vm the least memory needed. In the case of Solaris I have multiple vm's defined because sometimes I need to run compiles and other times not, so I start the machine with the appropriate resources. Parallels rocks.

 

[roadworrier]

I do this all the time - I've given each vm the least memory needed. In the case of Solaris I have multiple vm's defined because sometimes I need to run compiles and other times not, so I start the machine with the appropriate resources. Parallels rocks.

How many can you guys run at a time? When running Linux or Solaris in init state 3, I can get OSX, Windows + Solaris or OSX, Windows + Linux, but when I run all four I again get super sluggishness. I reduced my memory allocation for FC5 to 128, but that didn't help.

(But anyway, I'm QUITE happy to be able to get OSX + Windows + either Solaris or Linux running at the same time. I typically won't need more than that at one time. So, thanks.)