OSX windows server 2003 workstation question

[BinfordsTool]

So I've tried typing some search terms for what I think I want to be able to do, but I'm getting nothing relevant- I figured I'd just spell out my problem on the forums and see if there are any solutions.

I work for an EMS organization that has several windows workstations (running xp) that connect to a larger server, which hosts our shared drive ("U") as well as windows specific programs for generating reports. Specifically, one of our call logs is a microsoft access database that is linked via our network to generate a specific reference number for our calls.

Now, I'm moving up in the world and going to be directing human resources and pr for the agency, and while the windows workstations are nice, I am a damn fine mac user and would love to use my unibody 17" pro for the job. Here is where my questions come in.

I'd like to use my mac running virtualbox, parallels, or whatever with an xp install to connect to the server and have a typical workstation desktop (the U drive, network attached programs) next to my osx desktop. I know macs can access shared drives on server 2003, but can I set up a virtual machine to emulate one of our workstations?

It's a heavy question, but I appreciate all replies!

 

[hornshwangler]

Yes, you can download Virtualbox from Sun and use for FREE, and use your XP os to connect to the win server environment for access to apps and files. Virtualbox is highly recommended, I use almost every day and am a licensed user of Fusion and Parallels but prefer virtualbox. You could also load a copy of win7 and experiment with that, I much prefer the win7 interface over all previous variants of windows.

good luck!
Dan

 

[BinfordsTool]

Thanks a lot! Yeah I love 7, use bootcamp for it, but I'd like to not have to log off and on for the work stuff (make a ton of stuff in pages/keynote). Probably going to stick to xp because the larger it guys are dumb as stumps and any deviation from their usual throws them off

 

[RandomKamikaze]

Why not just buy VMWare Fusion, then use VMWare's P2V tool to convert your current physical machine to virtual, and run on Mac.

That way, its just your computer, but virtual