Is a VM right for you?

A virtual machine (VM) suits work that doesn't fit on the clusters. Examples: trying out code, running a service that stays on, or analysis that needs a setup that stays in place.

What you get

  • Linux or Windows, on VMware here at Stony Brook.
  • It stays up and can grow, and backups are available if you ask.
  • Our system administrators manage and support it.
  • We can add CPU, memory or storage without restarting it.

How to request

  1. Faculty submit a VM request for personal or group use.
  2. Graduate students and postdocs request through their advisor or PI.
  3. Research Systems Engineering provisions and manages the VM.
Example uses: processing lab results in MATLAB, or working with medical images (DICOM). For large batch work, consider HPC instead.