I am not a Unix expert or admin. But I am fimilair with how to connect to a Unix server and get around, create files, change permissions etc.
I am a JDE Software engineer. I support the JD Edwards Enterpriseone Software on different plateforms. But the Unix plateform is my weakest in terms of skillset.
So, as a way to get more famiiliar with the LInix OS so I can be better at doing Linux installs and support, I have a beefed up Windows 2008 R2 Server that is also setup as a Virtual Server. I have 30GB of RAM and about 10TR of disk space so I have speced this out very well.
My plan is to create a new VM and install Windows 2008 Server on it. Then install Linux...preferably Red Hat Enterprise as this is the primary Unix version that the JD Edwards Enterpriseone software supports.
First question is how much will it cost me to purchase and download Red Hat? I know that some Unix versions are open source and free to download. Is that the case with Red Hat? Just to test with for a while in my lab??
Next question, could someone provide the steps for a "newbie" to instaling Linux on where to go on the internet to find the best source for the Linux software (hopfully free), burn to CD or run from harddrive? and then the steps in simple terms on how to install on Windows VM machine to get up and running so I can then install the JD Edwards Software on top of it. Again, I'm a rather novice when it comes to Unix so that's why I'm doing this so please keep that in mind when your providing the steps. Even if they seem to simple, I'd rather have the step by step tasks vs. the alternative.
Thanks in advance!
Installing CentOS is super easy, and is all GUI if your terminal supports it. Here are some links to get you started.
http://centos.org/
http://wiki.centos.org/FrontPage
http://wiki.centos.org/Download
As far as installing a Linux VM inside a windows VM... while that may be possible, I personally don't think you should do it. Unless of course you are unable to get a new VM spun up dedicated to it. I've never heard of anyone running a VM inside a VM... sounds like trouble imo.