PL7 Pro on Win 11

[gcummings]

My client has a large TSX Premium with Factory Cast. He needs an engineer to help him maintain it. Will Windows 11 Pro and PL7 Pro 4.5 in 32 bit Win XP mode communicate over Ethernet? Or will I need to Spin up an XP machine on my Win 11 box? If so how well does PL7 Pro 4.5 work with the Ethernet driver?

[Michael_Chan]

Hi, 

You can run PL7 Pro 4.5 in a VMware or other virtual machine environment on Windows 11. Here are some key points to consider:

• Compatibility: Running PL7 Pro in a virtual machine with Windows XP (32-bit) is generally more reliable than using Windows 11's compatibility mode. This setup allows you to create an isolated environment that mimics the original operating conditions for the software.

• Ethernet Communication: Ensure that the virtual machine's network settings are configured correctly. You may need to set the network adapter to "Bridged" mode to allow the VM to communicate over Ethernet with your TSX Premium system. This setup typically works well, but performance can vary based on your host machine's resources and network configuration.

• Driver Support: The Ethernet driver should work effectively within the VM, but you might need to install the appropriate drivers for PL7 Pro to ensure smooth communication. Users have reported success with this configuration, but it's essential to test it thoroughly in your specific environment.

• Performance: Running PL7 Pro in a VM can introduce some overhead, so ensure your host machine has sufficient resources (CPU, RAM) to handle both the host OS and the VM smoothly.

[gcummings]

Thank you for the tips. I have very little experience with VMs. Time to learn some more. Is there a VM you would recommend?

[Michael_Chan]

Hi,

The main advantages of using a virtual machine include flexibility, scalability, cost-efficiency, improved resource utilization, isolated testing environments, portability, and easier disaster recovery by allowing multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine, enabling quick creation and cloning of environments, and providing the ability to easily move VMs between different physical hosts as needed.

Check out the VMware by Broadcom; it is quite popular: https://www.vmware.com/.