Upgrade from Lion to Mavericks … and login options (missing new parallels server)

Hello,

I am still running my Mac Mini on OS Lion (due to the Parallels Server limitations) and now would like to make the switch to Mac OS Mavericks. Can anybody from the Parallels Team can give any status info on the availability of former server options with Parallels Desktop 9?

I mean … it's now a very, very long time after the announcement was made:
"We are ending support for our Server for Mac product line, and will be working toward a future new server product line based on the Parallels Desktop for Mac code base."
(See: http://www.parallels.com/support/desktop-virtualization/server-mac/)

I would do an "upgrade" to Mac OS Desktop version 9 (which supports Mavericks, more or less, to judge from the discussions here), but I would like to know whether I can run a virtual machine _BEFORE_ any user logs in. That's the primary function from the server version which I need. Since I do not find this question covered in any manual, I would like to raise it here:

How do I make a VM run under Parallels Desktop Version 9 without having a user logged in?

If it is not possible, when will the promise "will be working toward a future new server product line" be filled? 2 more years? 5 more years?

Best regards,
Olaf Jacobi

 

Seems nobody is picking up on this thread ... is really everybody just using the Desktop version and starts up and shuts down?

 

Not the answer you are looking for, but I've got 4 or 5 programs besides Parallels (Desktop) that require a user login, so I just live with it. At least I can log in remotely.

OTOH, I'm waiting on Mavericks Server until VPN is fixed.