I have a PowerEdge 2950 running Windows 2003 Server Standard x64. I use this machine to host 2 virtual machines with MS Virtual Server 2005 R2.
Because of some limitations of Virtual Server, I want to upgrade to Windows Server 2008 Standard x64 and install Hyper-V.
I looked on Intel's website and the processor suppports Intel VT, and the disable execution bit - So I believe that the hardware portion will be ok.
Questions:
1.)Should I format the C:/ and do a clean install? Or do an upgrade from within Windows Server 2003? From experience, formatting the C:/ and doing a clean install is always better.
2.)Should I install the drivers in a specific order like DELL recommends with desktops/laptops ???
3.) Will the VHD files be compatible that are running within MS Virtual Server 2005 R2 be compatible with WIndows Server 2008 Hyper - V ?
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It's the need to do a repair install that cripples most VHDs/people, at least while the operation goes on. If the install was done initially on a Hyper-V box, a repair is required to realign the HAL for Virtual Server, but sadly its not a seemless VHD move.
However for Virtual Server to Hyper-V, there should be no need to do anything special. The VHDs should mount just fine.
-Matt
1.)Should I format the C:/ and do a clean install? Or do an upgrade from within Windows Server 2003? From experience, formatting the C:/ and doing a clean install is always better.
it really depends on what kind of additional applications have been installed on the existing W2K3 platform. if all are built-in applications of W2K3 (except the Virtual Server 2005), i would recommend a clean install from the scratch.
2.)Should I install the drivers in a specific order like DELL recommends with desktops/laptops ???
try W2K8 built-in drivers first. according to my experience, W2K8 can recognize most main-stream Dell PE servers hardware except the very latest ones.
3.) Will the VHD files be compatible that are running within MS Virtual Server 2005 R2 be compatible with WIndows Server 2008 Hyper - V ?
if you are talking about VHD file itself, the virtual hard disk built under Virtual Server 2005, the answer is basically YES as the VHD can be directly OPENED by Hyper-V. technically, because the VHD format specification is not changed, so VHD files on the two platforms are compatible.
if you are talking about the OS system on an existing VHD, the answer is conditionally YES as you need to remove the existing add-ons and replace them with the new drivers (Hyper-V Integration Components) for utilizing the Hyper-V features and better performance.
FYI
Are VHDs compatible between Hyper-V and Virtual Server and Virtual PC?
http://blogs.technet.com/j
VHD compatibility between Hyper-V and Virtual Server
http://blogs.msdn.com/volk
hope it helps,
bbao
Regarding questions 1 and 2...
The Dell PowerEdge servers come with a "Systems Build" DVD that contains a pre-setup routine and all of the drivers. If you can get your hands on one that is circa 9/2008 or newer it will make life much easier. You just boot to it, answer a few questions, feed it the Win2K8 setup disk and you're done.
Regarding question 3...
Yes, they are compatible. I have successfully migrated Virtual Server 2005 VMs to Hyper-V in my production environment. I have not had issues with the HAL. In a nutshell, I did the following:
- Uninstall Virtual Machine Additions from VM and shut it down
- Copy the VHD to the Hyper-V server
- Create a new virtual machine in Hyper-V and attach the copied VHD to it.
Good Luck!
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by: tigermattPosted on 2009-06-19 at 10:07:29ID: 24668133
I would always go for a clean installation. You can be sure with a clean install you have a clean base to start from, and that all roles will be properly installed. A clean install also gives the benefit that problems are less likely to arise further down the line.
Most drivers for server hardware will be detected automatically by the software. The only drivers I ever install on a server are drivers for the LAN adapter and drivers for the storage controller, if they are required. Graphics Drivers are not generally required. If a storage controller driver is required, you will need to provide it during the installation procedure of Windows Server 2008. The other drivers can be installed in any order.
I would suggest you concentrate your efforts more on installing the Dell-specific monitoring tools for your server. I don't work with Dells so cannot comment; however, there should be software available for download from Dell to monitor the server, the storage and so on.
VHD files can be migrated from the Virtual Server box to Hyper-V, as detailed in http://blogs.technet.com/j
-Matt