Setting up VMWare for Lab

Ok, So I have obtained a copy of Vmware from work (my ISO and Manager have said it is cool for me to use it to learn from).
Anyways I just need 1 piece of advice on how to start.

So I want to set up 1 server 2k3 which I have an eval copy of.
Also I plan on setting up 1 or 2 XP systems with.
Now I am on a network at home already on a router.

Now for the question which may be simple to the rest of you but...
When this part comes up, which one do I choose?
Now remember I will be using this to learn for the 290+ tests.

Thanks for the help.
Cess

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coconut_head

I have user VMWare for the same purpose, and I used NAT.

That works fine for me

tweakingit

I use my Company Laptop for this so i am aways in and out of the network.

So I use the "Use Host-Only Networking" this allows my "Test or Study" envorment to Stay out of my production envoirments.

You can switch to NAT if you need to do updates to the VM-OS. or setup ICS on one VM-OS and only turn it on when you want to go to the Web for anything. this is a little more intense but i feel better when playing with VM.

VM-Ware is great for testing before making it live as well. I have taken the time to Replicate each server and network enviorment. It took a while but now i can test updates and software with out any worry about crashing the real thing.

blargoe

NAT should be fine if you're doing this at home.

You do know that you can download the new VMWare Server product for free now? Is this what you got from work?

Be sure you have plenty of free memory on the computer you plan to run this from or it will be dog slow.

DapperDan

I used Bridged and it works OK. 1 server 3 clients.

Cessation

Thanks, for your help. Ill probably be setting up my lab today after work.