Free VMware Server Question

[mattx]

Been looking on the VMWare web site but can't find a simple answer to a simple question.....

The Free VMWare Server software..........
Can you use this to migrate a Windows 2008 Server which is just running as a DC ? [ Also have a member server ]

I was thinking of getting rid of an old IBM E-series & Netfinity server.......

[j17sparky]

Just install the DC as a totally new VM and allow a couple of days for everything to have replicated accross and settle down, then demote the old DC. No need to be messing doing a physical to virtual for something as simple as a DC.

AFAIK MS arnt too bothered about you doing this in terms of you being a licence down for a few days.

[mattx]

Just install the DC as a totally new VM and allow a couple of days for everything to have replicated accross and settle down, then demote the old DC. No need to be messing doing a physical to virtual for something as simple as a DC.

AFAIK MS arnt too bothered about you doing this in terms of you being a licence down for a few days.

One way but I don't fancy messing around and configuring WSUS and other bits and bobs running on the server I want to migrate.....

[Theblacksheep]

Yeah you can.... well with standalone converter 4. not sure if it'll handle 2008R2 conversion.

[mattx]

Yeah you can.... well with standalone converter 4. not sure if it'll handle 2008R2 conversion.

Is it as simple as:

1. Install VMWare Server - on a new server
2. Take a snap shot of one of my 2008 servers
3. Turn that server off
4. Introduce that snapshot to VMWare Server
5. Have a cup of tea

[Theblacksheep]

Is it as simple as:

1. Install VMWare Server - on a new server
2. Take a snap shot of one of my 2008 servers
3. Turn that server off
4. Introduce that snapshot to VMWare Server
5. Have a cup of tea

Yeah, pretty much


1) Establish the target server (esxi/VMware server).
2) Install standalone converter on a PC (could be your PC, doesnt need to be the server)
3) Run Converter and start a task sequence: target your 'starting' server and it'll install an agent.
You may need do turn off the firewall.
4) Target you destination host (see 1)
5) Finish the task sequence and wait *
6) Turn old server off
7) Power on new VM
8) Tidy VM removing old devices in device manager.
9) Optimise VM


* for example the 100GB exchange 2003 server took 6 hours.

I'd recommend ESX if you can over server. Old RM servers make good esx boxes

[j17sparky]

Is it as simple as that with a DC though? Best practices tell you to be very wary with 2000/2003 DCs as it can cause replication issues, so unless MS have corrected this for 2008...

Personally i wouldnt dream on P2V a DC for the sake of the 10 minutes its going to take to install WSUS.

[mattx]

I'll install a test box and will see how I get on. Thanks for that.

[j17sparky]

I'll install a test box and will see how I get on. Thanks for that.

You will need to virtualise all of your DCs and test it for a good while, as replication issues dont always show themselves straight away, and obviously keep these away from your production.

Honestly, its going to be 100x more work and more risky doing it the way you want to.

[Theblacksheep]

Is it as simple as that with a DC though? Best practices tell you to be very wary with 2000/2003 DCs as it can cause replication issues, so unless MS have corrected this for 2008...

The basic conversion process is that simple.... but there are additional replication issues as the DC will essentially be off for a short amount of time.

You could cold convert it with a converter boot disk, which will just be like the server has been off for a few hours and like any replication issue that could arise with that.

[mattx]

You will need to virtualise all of your DCs and test it for a good while, as replication issues dont always show themselves straight away, and obviously keep these away from your production.

Honestly, its going to be 100x more work and more risky doing it the way you want to.

Thing is I have another server which has a database on too + a few other network related apps.
I don't have the time to re-install / configure all this - I am hoping a migration to virtual will do the job.
I am looking for a basic guide to read up on which will outline some of the things to look out for but have not really found much yet. I shall keep looking though.......
Once I'm happy with a physical to virtual I can then look into sorting out a SAN.