>> Virtualized operating environments JUST DONT WORK with realtime audio-oriented applications,

The owners of some of the world's largest network infrastructure would disagree. It all depends on the resources applied. Large 128-core servers with fast storage are virtualized into multiple servers to do things like capture all the high def video feeds of 15 simultaneous basketball games.

It works if you allocate the resources.

Audio switching is easy. If you allocate resources physically or virtually, it really doesn't matter. The problem comes when you try to do this with a typical workstation.

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Mickey Baker, N4MB
Fort Lauderdale, FL
“Tell me, and I will listen. Show me, and I will understand. Involve me, and I will learn.” Teton Lakota, American Indian Saying.