LB1234
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Cloning a VM Ware server, some general guidelines please.
Ok I have a few questions on cloning a windows 2003 server for use as a template, going foward.
1) Does cloning pertain to the OS and all installed programs? An exact duplicate, in terms of hard drive size, network settings, everything in totality?
2) are there any issues with SID numbers after cloning? If so, what's the best way to address this?
3) If I clone a machine and then find that I need a smaller or larger hard drive setting, is this as simple as going to "edit settings" and changing that stuff?
3.5) What about volumes? If I clone a machine that has a C: drive, is it difficult to edit one of the cloned copies to have a C: and D: drive which are different sizes than the original?
4) What's the difference between "cloning" and "cloning to template"?
Thanks!
1) Does cloning pertain to the OS and all installed programs? An exact duplicate, in terms of hard drive size, network settings, everything in totality?
2) are there any issues with SID numbers after cloning? If so, what's the best way to address this?
3) If I clone a machine and then find that I need a smaller or larger hard drive setting, is this as simple as going to "edit settings" and changing that stuff?
3.5) What about volumes? If I clone a machine that has a C: drive, is it difficult to edit one of the cloned copies to have a C: and D: drive which are different sizes than the original?
4) What's the difference between "cloning" and "cloning to template"?
Thanks!
ASKER
Work out better than what? I think you're maybe talking about a different kind of cloning :) I'm talking about cloning virtual servers. Thanks anyhow.
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Sorry, may have read the question too quickly. Best of luck.
With respect to your second question about SIDs, its always better to use SysPrep when you deploy VMs from Templates.
More about SysPrep - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc783215(WS.10).aspx
More about SysPrep - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc783215(WS.10).aspx
I may be wrong about the computer sid getting changed. Actually it is the Domain account SID that is changed. VMWare has a supported method with integrating sysprep into a template which is probably the correct way of doing it. I just took a clean machine and cloned it to a template. No issues so far.
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I thionk that would probably work out better for you. http://www.acronis.com/
You will not run into any issues and you can download a free trial to test it out first if you'd like. I've done this plenty of time on our servers and works like a charm.
Good Luck!