Setting up a virtualized home lab?

Hi guys, I know I post here often, I have some questions and you're all the best!
What would be the best way to set up a virtualized home lab for server 2012? Should I install 2012 on a physical machine, and run all the VMs through it, or should I just set up multiple VMs through my Windows 8.1 OS?
Also, this is a complete noob question, but how many instances of 2012 should I be running to set up a complete lab, and should I be running any Windows 7/8 VMs as clients to simulate user groups and whatnot?
What would be the best way to set up a virtualized home lab for server 2012? Should I install 2012 on a physical machine, and run all the VMs through it, or should I just set up multiple VMs through my Windows 8.1 OS?
Also, this is a complete noob question, but how many instances of 2012 should I be running to set up a complete lab, and should I be running any Windows 7/8 VMs as clients to simulate user groups and whatnot?
Comments
I have a pretty decent home PC right now. I was thinking of just dual-booting Windows 8.1 with Server 2012 to get the best of both worlds, but I think I may just run all the VMs through 8.1
Can't afford the product license right now. I'm using the 30 day trial in the meantime.
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Yes, I'm running 8.1 Pro
Is there a big benefit to vmware workstation over virtual box for home labs?
I am currently working on a windows 7 desktop and windows 8 laptop but I am also considering buying a server off ebay. I just want to wait till I learn a little more about what I'm using and what I need.
Thanks for any feedback.
Jon
Just use Hyper-V in 8.1 it will do everything you need for labbing.
Always curious to know why people would suggest VMWare over Hyper-V here. Hyper-V is heavily covered in the MCSA topics, VMWare is not.
I think Hyper-V doesn't come to the fore of most people's minds since so few people are running the Pro versions of 8.x.
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You are more likely to find VMWare in a work environment than you would Hyper-V but this is from my experience. I do understand you take on Hyper-V from the Cert point of view though as this is MS late push into virtulization.
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