Microsoft Windows 7 XP Mode Support Considerations
We have all waited for Microsoft Windows 7 release date so we can all look under the hood at the new XP Mode. We are all excited about being able to run our older programs in a Virtual technology spectrum. As a systems administrator I am looking beyond just the fact that I can run my older programs in this VT (Virtual Technology) mode, I am thinking about support issues. I look at what will ultimately be required to maintain this VT called XP mode, and how can I do this efficiently as well as effectively while not compromising the entire Windows 7 computer system. The other area that I am concerned with revolves around when there is an issue on the system, and how to go about recovering from that issue.
What I would like to start with is an explanation of how I like to reduce issue while making recovery quick and easy. First, I start with where I store my files. For small businesses and home networks, I find that a NAS RAID works the best. A NAS is Network Attached Storage, some type of hard drive that connected to your network not a specific computer. The Advantage of this is that everyone in the office or at the house can access the storage from their computer and either store or backup their files to this device. I then like to have the NAS unit utilize RAID technology. There are many types of RAID, but in this case, I will be referring to a RAID 1. RAID 1 is a mirror. So 2-hard drives share the same information, data and are complete replicas of one another. The reason that this is important is so that one drive cannot fail and you lose all your data. Both drives would have to fail, which is rare to happen at the same time. Thus, this helps to protect your data.
XP mode will allow you to connect to other computers on the network including NAS devices. Therefore, from a support perspective I think that I would want to keep my data in a safe place and not in the XP Mode Drive. XP Mode take part of the hard drive where Windows 7 has been installed and allocates space for the XP operating system, all programs installed, and all files stored within the user’s profile. Most software when installed (even in XP Mode) will default to the user’s profile for file storage. My first concern is what happens if that VHD (Virtual Hard Drive) space on Windows 7 fails. Will I be able to get to my data files that I was working on within XP Mode? By having those file saved to a NAS drive or a server, I can at least know that I have a safe location, one where I can quickly gain access when I need the file. If do not have a NAS or another computer, then the next best option is to create a folder on the root of C drive of the Windows 7 operating system. When you are in XP mode, there is a virtual C drive, but this C Drive is the Virtual Hard Drive. There is also another C Drive for where Windows 7 as a whole resides. By placing the files on that drive, then if something happens to the XP Mode profile, you can at least know your data is safe. This option still does not help you if there is a hard drive issue, but it is better than leaving the data in the VHD.
Next, after I have a good safe place to store my files, I use some of that space to store backups of my computer system. By installing a program like Symantec Ghost, I can backup my entire system including the registry, boot files, etc. Therefore, if I were to have an OS issue I can reinstall the OS, install Ghost, then take the ghost image that I created, and restore the entire system back to the way it was before the issue occurred. This can save hours and hours getting a PC back into operations when there is an issue.
Looking at the specifications of the new Symantec Ghost it appears that the software will be able to backup and restore VHD data sections along with the backing up of the OS. This will allow you to restore your XP mode system and all files without too much of an issue. I will have to so some testing on this and report my findings. At this time, looking at the specifications sheet of Symantec Ghost it discusses VHD’s and virtual machines. There are other ways to back this up as well. The backup utility from within Windows 7 should also do the trick. There is also the ability within XP mode to create the mode, install software and then to share the VHD configuration across a number of computer systems. Therefore, for an example if you are in a small business office and you want all users to have the same layout and feel of the XP mode, you can create one and then Copy it over to other computers for them to use the same programs, etc. This might be a way to at least make a backup of one’s XP mode after installing all software to ensure that if something does happen that one could just restore from the original VHD file and be back in business quickly. I can see the being extremely helpful for in the situation of the XP mode getting a virus. One just kills off the current XP mode, this killing off the virus, and then restoring a known good and clean XP mode VHD and thus being back to working condition in less than an hour or two depending on the size and location of the VHD file.
After looking at ways to ensure that data and the profile are safe and secure this still leaves a few areas to review. There are still Anti-virus, Malware, Spyware and firewall items to ensure that the system is safe, and more importantly that the entire computer systems remains clean. Most Virtual systems work in their own little box with no real ties to the outside world. In another words, they do not have easy access to the Internet or other hard drives where data can be stored. This is not the case in regards to XP Mode. Microsoft built this with immediate access to the Internet, access to both the VHD of “C” as well as connections to all the other drives within the computer system. For all intense and purposes XP Mode is just like running a dual boot system, but from within a windows on Windows 7. The benefit is that you can access things like the Internet and printers, USB devices, and anything else on the network. The down side is that these are potential risks.
Just like when installing Windows XP, I would start with the same basics. Once the initial install of XP mode is up and running, I would install Anti-virus software. I have a couple of recommendations on this aspect. One, there are many free-ware Anti-virus programs out there. Do not spend monies that you do not have to, go get a freeware version. Second, remember XP mode is 32 bit, so you just need a good 32-bit Anti-virus program. You might find yourself trying different versions as some might work better than others might with XP mode & Windows 7.
Next, make sure to enable the firewall. This is a simple step within XP Mode; actually, it will keep popping up windows screaming at you to do so when you install the XP mode package. Go ahead and enable. There is no harm in using this built-in utility to help keep your computer safe.
Just as you normally would, install your favorite spyware and malware program. I would also allow the program in immunize the files. Test this first before you begin to install your programs just in case it would cause any issues.
You will also want to keep on top of all the software updates and patches just as if you were running the regular version of XP. As mentioned prior, you are in a sense running two different operating systems, and you will in turn being needing to maintain two separate operating systems.
