RM CC4 - Replacing an old Server

[mburland]

We have an old server running as a DC on a CC4 network. The RAM is failing so we are buying in a new server to replace it. What I want to know is can we install the RM components for a DC (not FRS) ourselves or do we have to pay to bring in RM to do it? I'm reluctant to spend hundreds of £'s for someone to come in and spend most of his time installing Server 2003 (which we can do) and setting it up as a DC (which we can do).

Any help would be appreciated. RM took 2 weeks to get back to me and I'm still waiting on a quote.

[Edu-IT]

I'm not sure RM will provide you with the commissioning tools you need.

[webman]

Can you not image the hard drive and restore to the new server?

[morganw]

I believe RM Engineers used to use the older version of this to do their server migrations. If it doesn't invalidate any support you have, it would probably be cheaper to buy the software rather than pay for engineer time.

[mburland]

Well, RM have quoted me <drum roll>.....£4500 for the job! If all the engineer does is image from old to new I find that pretty insulting. Thanks for the advice here, since we absolutely do not have the budget to pay for RM, it looks like we'll be figuring it out ourselves.

[chris_uk]

I believe that they use a Symantec product that takes an image, then allows you to re-image on new hardware. It then prompts you for drivers and a few reboots later it's done.

I can't remember the name of the software.

[webman]

I believe that they use a Symantec product that takes an image, then allows you to re-image on new hardware. It then prompts you for drivers and a few reboots later it's done.

I can't remember the name of the software.

LiveState?

[bossman]

@mburland:

Another suggestion would be to purchase a new server which you could install ZenServer (free virtulisation platform) and then run the P2V tool which would virtualise your old DC and you could then do this with any other servers you have.

I would of course stipulate that you may need to purchase a backend SAN for storage of your VMs but this would seem to me to be the perfect time to go down that route.

[mburland]

I appreciate the suggestion bossman. I'm certainly considering the virtualisation option...although I've had limited experience with that whole area I am keen to get to grips with it. (I've been running trials using Hyper V Server.)

[synaesthesia]

They use Symantec BESR to do it.
You can use the same yourself, or better still Acronis True Image Enterprise with Universal Restore - that'll allow you to restore the same image to a different PC. I've used the same method to move a CC4 server to a different box and also to a virtual PC.
the BESR method has a lot of caveats and a list of "to-do's" as long as your arm.
Acronis is much better, but as a precaution disable (then reanable when done) all main RM services, all SQL services and any AV services.