Deploying ColdFusion on WINDOWS using Parallels

Just in case you Window's types have been wondering when the OS X lovefest was going to end, I thought I'd mention that almost all of the advantages and disadvantages one gains from deploying multiple Window's VMs on OS X are also accrued when you use Parallels Workstation to deploy multiple Window's VMs under WINDOWS.

Namely, that you can have multiple virtual "servers", each with their own configurations, ColdFusion and IIS settings, their own databases, and so on. You can also setup Linux VMs if you need a LAMP stack, or simply use it to test IE 6 when you've got IE 7 installed on your main machine (or vice versa).

You can also use the multiple VM strategy to get around the issue where you can only setup one IIS site under Windows XP Professional. Install Parallels Workstation, Windows, IIS, ColdFusion, and SQL Server and configure them accordingly. Now stop. This is your base configuration.

Next time you need a new test server/site, just clone your base VM and begin from there.

It's also handy when you want to test something like Scorpio, but don't want to screw with your default installation. Or if you need to test to see if a client's site is compatible with it. Just clone the VM and go.

All in all, virtualization technology is perhaps the greatest thing since sliced bread. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

And I promise to get to the OS X installation tips and tricks article soon, but that pesky job thing keeps interfering. Stay tuned.

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It's here: Deploying ColdFusion on OS X using Parallels - Installation