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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Server networking windows in Parallel

jverschu - Oct 23, 2007 - 10:37 pm

Dear MacOSX supportmember,

When using a Mac, running Windows in Parallel, how does this work when wanting to network this computer in a windows based network with a windows 2003 server? Can this be done at all or does any Mac that wants to work in such a setting, have to be natively running in Windows?
I need to run software that is Windows only and needs to run over a server in a network setting. But would like my front desk machine to run PhoneValet phone answering software as well. So can I run OSX stand alone and have Windows run networked with the server??
Thanks beforehand
Jan

ora - Oct 24, 2007 - 8:15 am

Hi Jan,

You can connect the Parallels enabled Windows VM to a domain through right clicking on 'My Computer', going to the properties and going to the 'Computer Name' tab. You need to ask your admin for the settings for this. Then the VM works just like any other Windows installation on a network, with network drives and printers, exchange servers etc.

Hope this helps

Owen

jverschu - Oct 24, 2007 - 8:27 pm

Thanks Owen for your response.
Very surprising to hear this. Just to take this further. The windows software running on this computer is the backbone of running the clinic, a paperless clinic. Do you see ANY if any at all, problems or issues running windows in Parallel in a Windows server setup like this. Speed may be a compromise? But apart from that: better to run Windows natively or: absolutely zero difference??
Thanks again,
Jan

ora - Oct 25, 2007 - 9:09 am

Jan,

It depends

I run XP on my MacBookPro for work, and I have as yet had no problems in dealing with windows programs and systems. The only well know limitation of Parallels is that it will not do hardware graphics acceleration, so you cannot play games through parallels or do video editing etc.

If it the core of the office I might be tempted to get a cheap PC to run it, but Parallels will work ok. The speed is lower than using bootcamp or having a PC for it, as the computer has to run both Mac OSX and XP but for most applications things run fine.

Cheers

Owen

jverschu - Oct 25, 2007 - 10:42 pm

Hi Owen,
Well, in all, the system will run fine for the office management software running it in Parallels... The "cheaper PC" option as a standalone or a Core2Duo iMac with Parallels may balance itself out probably in speed. No video games or video editing is going to happen here. Very interesting to know that there is this option with the Mac platform...
Thanks for the info!
Jan

ora - Oct 26, 2007 - 3:39 am

No problem Jan.

I'm going to close the ticket now but if you have more questions do submit them and I'll keep an eye out.

Cheers,

Owen