Recover server 2008 R2 to different hardware

[reggiep]

Can anyone suggest how I can recover a server 2008 R2 server backup to a different piece of hardware?

I am banging my head against anything hard I can find as I can't see how this is possible?

 

Thanks

[SYNACK]

What state is it in now, option one is to use disk2vhd to grab a VHD and try to boot that in a VM which is likely to have hardware that is already included in the default drivers so should boot fine and allow you to work on it. Another much riskier option, Can you sysprep it without a generalize (careful this may wipe it) so as with everything backup beforehand.

 

I think Disk2VHD has an option to prep for virtualisation that will even inject the right drivers to make sure that it works, this from inside WinPE should be able to recover to a network location.

[FN-GM]

I used to use Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery for this. Did the job well.

[reggiep]

Meh, we don't have Backup Exec so that is off the table!

 

We also don't want to run it as a Virtual server. We set it all up on a workstation in anticipation of the purchase of a new server. That server has now arrived but we can't restore a full metal recovery to it using standard MS tools!

[SYNACK]

Have you tried just copying it over, as long as it has alright hardware that has basic drivers included it may well work. That was part of the reason I suggested the VHD method as it adds generic drivers which can then be applied back. The sysprep way works with 7 but it does clear many settings, probably not what you are after.

 

You'd get a far better result setting up the new server then joining it and transfering roles over though. That way it would start clean from the ground up but probably still be able to have most if not all of your configurations transfered over to it.

[reggiep]

My main concern is SCCM. This was a right pain to install. I'm not sure how easy that would be to transfer?

[SYNACK]

My main concern is SCCM. This was a right pain to install. I'm not sure how easy that would be to transfer?

 

Hmm, not very, are you sure about virtualisation. It solves all of this kind of thing and makes things much easier long term.

[reggiep]

I'm not sure about anything! Might end up running it as a Virtual server to get it up and running and then see how we go from there!

[bart21]

How about a P2P (physical to physical)

 

We do them all the time. Double take availability will allow this to be done. It will sync both machines until you choose to failover. It will then give the new box the identity of the old box.

 

I think double take is free for 30 days.

 

Nick

[Michael]

Can anyone suggest how I can recover a server 2008 R2 server backup to a different piece of hardware?

I am banging my head against anything hard I can find as I can't see how this is possible?

 

Thanks

 

I thought this is what a Bare Metal Restore was for. This is part of 2008 R2, so you should be able to re-install a fresh copy of 2008 R2 and restore directly on top (unless someone corrects me).

[Ric_]

What does your server do? Depending upon the role you might have more options.

[cpjitservices]

Personally I'd do a fresh install of 2008 r2 on the new server and have it as a DC with (GC), then run your other DC virtualized on that server using VMWare Workstation using D2V - What should happen is both servers will sync so you'll have SCCM on the virtual server and a fresh new physical server, I'd move all of your roles to the new DC and just leave SCCM on the virtualized server. Move over everything as you need it.