Citrix XenServer

[Ric_]

@Butuz: There's no P2V for Windows machines but you could use the free VMWare converter and then use the VMWare->XenServer converter

 

I prefer starting from scratch because it gets rid of the rubbish that inevitably builds up. You can create a template of a sysprepped server to speed things up.

[box_l]

xenconvert will run on a physical machine, make a vhd on a serperate drive/partition and then upload to the xenserver.

 

i have done this with no hitches on one xp laptop and one 2003 server so far.

 

one downside is that you should try to reduce the used area of the disc as much as possible, then make the partition as small again. i have not found an easy way of reducing the size of the virtual disc.

i am sure it can be done, but not without lots of faff.

 

i have xenserver running quite well (for testing) on my latitude with d820 2gb ram.

 

1 linux

1 2k3

1 xpsp3

1 windows 7

 

might try for OSX too !

 

regards

 

BoX

[artfulmatt]

@Butuz: There's no P2V for Windows machines but you could use the free VMWare converter and then use the VMWare->XenServer converter

 

I prefer starting from scratch because it gets rid of the rubbish that inevitably builds up. You can create a template of a sysprepped server to speed things up.

 

Don't really wanna rebuild the domain controller - I'm testing the Xen Converter which can convert a vm image to xen or take a physical machine and convert to xen - it only runs on disks that are basic and not dynamic and a few other niggly issues - nice to know about the vm converter though as thats another option

[artfulmatt]

xenconvert will run on a physical machine, make a vhd on a serperate drive/partition and then upload to the xenserver.

 

i have done this with no hitches on one xp laptop and one 2003 server so far.

 

one downside is that you should try to reduce the used area of the disc as much as possible, then make the partition as small again. i have not found an easy way of reducing the size of the virtual disc.

i am sure it can be done, but not without lots of faff.

 

i have xenserver running quite well (for testing) on my latitude with d820 2gb ram.

 

1 linux

1 2k3

1 xpsp3

1 windows 7

 

might try for OSX too !

 

regards

 

BoX

 

don't suppose your 2k3 is a DC? lol

[box_l]

sorry, no.

 

i'll give it a try in one of my schools.

 

Box

[RobFuller]

'xenconvert' I couldn’t see one that does Windows P2V for XEN any ideas where I could get my hands on this, would really help!!

 

Thanks!

[Butuz]

I think it's actually on the Xen installation CD as one of the options!

 

Butuz

[localzuk]

I think it's actually on the Xen installation CD as one of the options!

 

Butuz

 

Yup, it is. I installed on one server the other day and P2V was an option you could choose.

[RobFuller]

I found it; the CD option is only for Linux BTW. I found it by logging onto the site and searching there, though not having much luck with it as it keep failing to copy to the XenServer. I'll work it out!

 

Thanks guys.

[Marc]

Theres a xenconvert 2.0 preview version available at citrix that will convert vmware > xva/vhd and windows P2V (in the same way the mware P2V works).

[sahmeepee]

I've done a Windows XP P2V with XenConvert without problems, converting to VHD from within the OS. It won't copy locked files though, so shut down any SQL databases before doing the P2V.

 

I would also be very dubious about its chances on a DC, because NTDS.dit will probably be in use. For a DC I'd consider just rebuilding it. You can make a template WS2003 VHD easily enough and base other VMs off that.

 

one downside is that you should try to reduce the used area of the disc as much as possible, then make the partition as small again. i have not found an easy way of reducing the size of the virtual disc.

 

There are guides to doing this on the web. Google is failing me right now, but basically you can use a tool to fill all blank parts of the disk with zeros then resize the image with VHDResize.

[RobFuller]

I've just with playing with the conversion tool and managed to do a couple of successful p2v conversions now but have hit a bit brick wall! When booting I have control of the VM and can do F8 for example and select my boot mode but once Windows is up and can’t even use the keyboard let alone the mouse! Doesn't matter how long I wait even basic drivers don’t seem to be selected so there is no chance of me logging in and installing the Xen drivers!

 

Has anyone else had this problem and overcome this?

 

Thanks!

[RobFuller]

This is driving me mad...lol

[box_l]

sahmeepee:

you are right i tried a dc and it really messed up directory services!

 

it boots fine but it is not a dc anymore.

 

RobFuller:

 

how are you trying to control the machine? have you tried rdp?

 

BoX