[ale] what happens to vm if host reboots

[Ron Frazier (ALE)]

Hi JD, Phil T, and Jim K, and others,

Thanks for the prior responses to this.  I thought I'd post a small update.  For now, I've just disabled automatic patch installation for the PC in question.  Maybe later, I can figure out how to have the VM shut down properly before the host shuts down.  When I went back to the virtualbox control panel on the host pc after the forced reboot, the status said the VM had been aborted.  That didn't sound good.  The VM rebooted OK and the virtual HDD seems OK.  But, I obviously want to avoid such aborts.

The questions of why run Windows, or run Windows in a VM on a Linux host are valid questions.  In this group, I wouldn't expect anyone to be endorsing Windows, nor would I try to convince you to run it.  However, I thought I'd provide a bit of explanation of my scenario.

I've been running Windows ever since it was invented.  Since long before, in my opinion, Linux on the desktop had a viable gui and maintenance and installation routine for the AVERAGE user.  Since Ubuntu came about in 2006 or so, and particularly, more recently, Linux on the desktop is much more viable for the average user.  I consider myself above average in terms of technology.  However, I do prefer a nice GUI and minimal hassle installing and maintaining a system.  Modern Linux desktops are an acceptable replacement for Windows in most cases.  However, I reference my recent thread when I was complaining about lack of control over my experience I get on things like Unity and Windows 8.

The fact is, Windows 7 does 100% of what I want a PC to do, since everything out there is designed to be compatible with it.  My Linux situation is in flux, since I'm in the process of firing Ubuntu and moving to Mint.  Yes, I know it's Ubuntu under the covers.  Anyway, my experience with Ubuntu 11.04 and with the Mint Live DVD's indicates that Linux does about 85% - 90% of what I want a PC to do.

The main areas where Linux falls short are the devices I attach to these PC's, which often, work only with Windows to have all of their functionality.  Some require Windows to have any functionality.  These include an automotive GPS, ebook reader, weather display device, and a scanner.  Also, the machines associated with and attached to my work table run through a vga usb kvm.  One machine, when running Linux, ALWAYS mis characterizes my 1920 x 1080 external monitor and limits my screen to 1024 x 768.  It drives me insane.

Anyway, Windows 7 works flawlessly in all these cases.  So, at this point, I still plan to run Windows as my primary system, while dual booting Linux and / or running it in a VM for learning purposes and experimentation or maintenance with things that Windows cannot do.  I also don't have any licenses to install any other copies of Windows.

I will say this, with all the exploits being revealed in Windows, Adobe, Java, etc., I am becoming more motivated to try to move to a Linux primary and Windows secondary environment.  However, in my case, it's not at all a simple task.  I use each of my computers for different purposes.

Sincerely,

Ron




JD <jdp at algoloma.com> wrote:

>On 02/15/2013 08:31 AM, Phil Turmel wrote:
>> On 02/14/2013 10:20 PM, Ron Frazier (ALE) wrote:
>>> Hi guys,
>>>
>>> I had a scenario where I was running Win 7 as a host with a
>virtualbox
>>> Mint 13 vm running inside it.  Microsoft issued their patches on the
>2nd
>>> Tuesday, and, since the computer is set to automatically apply
>patches,
>>> the system decided to force a reboot.  So, I came back to the
>computer
>>> and found it waiting for me to enter the boot up password.
>
>Servers should never automatically reboot. NEVER.  If you can't change
>anything
>right now, perhaps disabling the installation of those patches is the
>best
>alternative - download them, just don't install automatically. You are
>very
>conscientious, so it is unlikely that the "patches ready to be
>installed" popups
>would be missed.
>
>>> Now, I know all the Windows programs will properly shut down, and,
>as
>>> long as I haven't left any data unsaved, shouldn't be a problem.
>>>
>>> My question is, what happens to the Mint 13 vm I had running?  It
>was
>>> just idling, and I didn't have any apps running inside it.  Will
>that vm
>>> shut down gracefully before the host shuts down?  Or, do I need to
>be
>>> concerned about not leaving vm's running prior to patch Tuesday?
>
>VMs should be sent the signal to reboot, but you need to have the aspcd
>installed and running for them to hear that request.  I know it is not
>installed
>by default on Ubuntu 12.04 Server.  I know this works for KVM, but
>can't say
>what virtualbox does.  I think of vbox as desktop-centric
>virtualization, not
>suitable for servers.
>
>> Seriously, friends don't let friends run Windows on bare metal.
>
>There is a time and place for MS-Windows, but I agree with the others -
>this is
>not it.  Do you really need so many Windows machines. Could they be put
>into VMs
>running under Linux or reduced to 1 physical and the rest virtual?
>
>Regarding that personal msg Ron - sorry, just saw it.  Can't you use a
>temp
>email account from a diff provider?
>
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--

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(To whom it may concern.  My email address has changed.  Replying to former
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address.  Please send all personal correspondence to the new address.)

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
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Ron Frazier
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linuxdude AT techstarship.com