[SOLVED] Setting up dedicated build PC

Setting up dedicated build PC - suggestions needed

we are thinking about buying and setting up a new PC to use as a nightly build PC. We are planning to install Visual C++ 2005/2008, SVN etc. However we need to compile our app:

for 32 and 64 bit
on 2 different linux distros

so we think we can setup a Windows Xp/7 and use VMWare to run linuxes.

But how to build for 32 and 64 build targets on the same Windows ? Should we rather install a 64bit windows from the beginning ?

Do you have any other suggestions/best practices for dedicated build computers ?

Thanks,

Paul

Solution

First, separate 2 logical parts: build system architecture and physical implementation.

For example, architecture may be based on hudson: One server runs hudson and hudson manages builds on any number of other servers (running any OS'es you may need).

Now it doesn't matter if you have multiple PCs running single OS or have everything virtualized or a mix of both.

For physical implementation, I would recommend complete virtualization: it has several pros while the list of cons is basically one item - performance penalty.