Question

VIRTUAL SERVER - RECREATE FROM A PRODUCTION SERVER

Asked by: Pollin

Hello:

Does anyone knows how to replicate a server in a virtual server?

I need to replicate my domain controllers in virtual servers in my lab environment for testing purposes.
I have tried to restore the system state and then run sysprep (to reset the hardware detection) but after rebooting the server I get a blue screen and I can't access the virtual server not even in safe mode.


thanks in advance

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Asked On
2006-10-22 at 00:56:49ID22033352
Tags

server

,

virtual

,

production

,

restore

Topics

Windows 2003 Server

,

Tivoli Storage Manager

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: Jay_Jay70Posted on 2006-10-22 at 04:28:51ID: 17783494

it depends if you have create a locked down network (private within VS) if not then its the exact same process as standard servers, just promote the additional DC

 

by: PollinPosted on 2006-10-22 at 06:21:13ID: 17783734

What I want to do is to replicate a server that is in a production environment in a virtual server for testing purposes. for example, if I want to test the domain renaming in windows 2003 I need to test it first in the lab so I would need to replicate (take a snapshot) my current DC in a virtual server. This virtual server will be isolated from the production environment.

 

by: Jay_Jay70Posted on 2006-10-22 at 15:23:38ID: 17785396

ah k, two options

1) Image your server with Acronis True Image or Ghost and restore to a VM

2) BE CAREFUL!!
build your virtual DC (same process as normal)
You will then need to segment the VM into its own network with absolutely no contact with the live system
Then you need to sieze the FSMO roles on your VM and make it a GC etc....
on the live system you need to clean any trace of that old DC using the NTDSUTIL

 

by: PollinPosted on 2006-11-24 at 16:14:40ID: 18009970

If I use Ghost to image the server and restore it to a VM it doesn't work as the Hardware on the VM is different in both systems and I will get a blue screen. I have tried also to use sysprep before taking the image but the blue screen still appear.

Rgds

 

by: Jay_Jay70Posted on 2006-11-25 at 00:53:52ID: 18010766

you should be able to run a simple repair...

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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