File-Sharing Capability
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Anyone working with a group of systems that are meant to be used together-for
example, for demonstration purposes-will likely find the new file-sharing
capability especially handy. It was a snap to move files back and forth between
my virtual systems once the shared folders were set up.
However, it would be simpler to share folders if Sun would auto-mount the shared
folder. In this version of VirtualBox, mounting the shared folder between my
Ubuntu 8.10 host and an OpenSolaris 2008.11 guest was a manual process.
Support for OpenGL and host-based 3D acceleration hardware is now also
available to Linux and Solaris guests in this version of VirtualBox. During
tests using a Lenovo ThinkPad X300, I was able to run test graphics programs-including
glxgears-at 290 frames per second with hardware acceleration enabled, compared
with about 90 frames per second without acceleration enabled. (Note: Glxgears
is not a benchmarking tool, and frame rates are affected by a wide range of
factors. However, the program, running on a test system that was otherwise
idle, provides an idea of the increased performance hardware acceleration
affords.)
The enhanced graphics performance also means that visual effects eye-candy-such
as animations, translucent windows and 3D desktop capabilities-can now be
enabled in guests.
During tests, these kinds of effects worked well on my Ubuntu guest systems,
but I encountered problems on my OpenSolaris guest system-primarily, impaired
screen redrawing. Running the OpenSolaris guest in full-screen mode-where the
guest takes over the full resolution of the physical display-did not improve
operation.
The configuration of 3D acceleration and a host of other performance
features designed to take advantage of any available hardware resources is left
for the user to do manually. As these features can adversely affect guest and
host performance, this makes sense.
eWEEK Labs Technical Director Cameron Sturdevant can be reached at
csturdevant@eweek.com.
Cameron Sturdevant has been with the Labs since 1997, and before that paid his IT management dues at a software publishing firm working with several Fortune 100 companies. Cameron also spent two years with a database development firm, integrating applications with mainframe legacy programs. Cameron's areas of expertise include virtual and physical IT infrastructure, cloud computing, enterprise networking and mobility, with a focus on Android in the enterprise. In addition to reviews, Cameron has covered monolithic enterprise management systems throughout their lifecycles, providing the eWEEK reader with all-important history and context. Cameron takes special care in cultivating his IT manager contacts, to ensure that his reviews and analysis are grounded in real-world concern. Cameron is a regular speaker at Ziff-Davis Enterprise online and face-to-face events. Follow Cameron on Twitter at csturdevant, or reach him by email at csturdevant@eweek.com.
