Virtualized Server for learning

[IReadTheManual]

What / how / etc would people recommend for creating a virtual machine version of a server for learning purposes. I want to learn and practice PHP, Ruby on Rails, Drupal, SQL and AJAX. Is there an image file or a really good tutorial for setting all of this up?

[papibe]

Hi IReadTheManual.

You can learn all that on a regular Desktop Edition by installing the necessary packages.

Nevertheless, if you want to get into a 'boot camp' command line on a virtual machine, I would recommend:

• Installing VirtualBox.
• Download the Server Edition ISO.
• Creating a virtual machine (512Mb RAM and 10Gb HD will do).
• Installing the ISO.

Let us know how it goes.
Regards.

[LHammonds]

You did not mention what PC platform you are using. But anyway, I use VirtualBox when on my Windows PC and VMware ESXi at work.

You can take a look at my step-by-step documents in my signature for an idea of how I setup a server and various app servers.

LHammonds

[coldraven]

You can get VirtualBox images here:
http://virtualboxes.org/images/

[volkswagner]

Also check out TurnkeyLinux.org for VM images specific to your needs... Ruby on Rails, Drupal, PHP and more. This makes deploying your test environments dead simple if you're running VirtualBox, Zen, VMWare, or Parallels.