asked on Windows 2008 Datacenter Core to VMWare ESX 5.0 Migration (P2V)
We have a Windows 2008 Datacenter DC (core installation) sitting on a physical server with only one CPU. To avail of the benefits of this server's virtualisation licensing, I have a number of questions.
1.) Does anyone have any suggestions on how to P2V a Windows 2008 Datacenter core server to a VMWare ESX 5.0 environment?
2.) If this server is successfully migrated to a VMWare ESX host, can I legally avail of unlimited instances of this OS on the new hardware? The license is from our company MSDN licensing, and one of our engineers incorrectly activated the key on a single CPU server (facepalm...).
1.) Does anyone have any suggestions on how to P2V a Windows 2008 Datacenter core server to a VMWare ESX 5.0 environment?
2.) If this server is successfully migrated to a VMWare ESX host, can I legally avail of unlimited instances of this OS on the new hardware? The license is from our company MSDN licensing, and one of our engineers incorrectly activated the key on a single CPU server (facepalm...).
Windows Server 2008VMwareServer Hardware
Last Comment
Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
this is a domain controller?
ASKER
Yes, it is. I never copped that the whole Datacenter and DC (for Domain controller) thing could easily be misconstrued!
Although P2V is possible using VMware vSphere vConverter Standalone v5. Its recommended to P2V DCs off or cold.
OR, build a new virtual DC and transfer the roles, this is supported.
OR, build a new virtual DC and transfer the roles, this is supported.
I would recommend and use VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0 or 4.3.
and if you do use VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0, and you want to make your transfers 60% faster checkout my EE article here
HOW TO: Improve the transfer rate of a Physical to Virtual (P2V), Virtual to Virtual Conversion (V2V) using VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0
Download VMware vCenter Converter 5.0 here
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0 Documentation
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0 User Guide
Download VMware vCenter Converter 4.3 here
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 4.3 Documentation
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 4.3 User Guide
If you have issues, you may want to consult the following articles and guides
Read fellow Expert Bestway's article.
Best Practice Video Guide here
Some Videos I've develeoped for Experts Exchange
A Tutorial video by me:- Restore a Virtual Machine using the FREE VMware vCenter Converter to VMware vSphere 4.x, 5.0 ESXi 4.x, ESXi 5.0, ESX 4.0
A Tutorial video by me:- Backup VMware vSphere 4.x, 5.0 ESXi 4.x, ESXi 5.0, ESX 4.0 for FREE using VMware vCenter Converter
A Tutorial video by me:- VMware vCenter Converter Standalone Process at work
A Tutorial video by me:- VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0 Convert monolithic sparse to monolithic flat for use with VMware vSphere 4.x 5.0 ESXi 4.x 5.0
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and if you do use VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0, and you want to make your transfers 60% faster checkout my EE article here
HOW TO: Improve the transfer rate of a Physical to Virtual (P2V), Virtual to Virtual Conversion (V2V) using VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0
Download VMware vCenter Converter 5.0 here
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0 Documentation
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0 User Guide
Download VMware vCenter Converter 4.3 here
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 4.3 Documentation
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 4.3 User Guide
If you have issues, you may want to consult the following articles and guides
Read fellow Expert Bestway's article.
Best Practice Video Guide here
Some Videos I've develeoped for Experts Exchange
A Tutorial video by me:- Restore a Virtual Machine using the FREE VMware vCenter Converter to VMware vSphere 4.x, 5.0 ESXi 4.x, ESXi 5.0, ESX 4.0
A Tutorial video by me:- Backup VMware vSphere 4.x, 5.0 ESXi 4.x, ESXi 5.0, ESX 4.0 for FREE using VMware vCenter Converter
A Tutorial video by me:- VMware vCenter Converter Standalone Process at work
A Tutorial video by me:- VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0 Convert monolithic sparse to monolithic flat for use with VMware vSphere 4.x 5.0 ESXi 4.x 5.0
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ASKER
How do I cold-P2V a physical Windows Server 2008 Core server?
- I'd need some kind of P2V boot disk.
- I'd need some kind of P2V boot disk.
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ASKER
Thanks Hancocka, that's a very handy article! Any idea about my Windows 2008 Datacenter licensing transfer question?
2.) If this server is successfully P2V-ed to a VMWare ESX host, can I legally avail of unlimited instances of Windows 2008 Datacenter on the new hardware?
2.) If this server is successfully P2V-ed to a VMWare ESX host, can I legally avail of unlimited instances of Windows 2008 Datacenter on the new hardware?
Yes, see last post!
ASKER
Ahhhh.... missed that one!
Cheers hanccocka!
Cheers hanccocka!
no problems.