sglee
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Setting up SBS2011 DC on Windows Server 2012
Hi,
I need to setup a server system for about 10 users including Terminal Service/Exchange.
After listening experts on this board regarding two choices (VMWare ESXi and Hyper-V), this time I have decided to go with Hyper-V that comes standard with Windows 2012. I am going to purchase Windows 2012 Server this week.
That said, since I am not familiar with setting up Hyper-V, I would like to get some advise from experts who have setup Hyper-V using Windows 2012 Server.
(1) Can you give me some guidelines on how to and what to expect during the installation?
(2) Since it will take time to receive a Windows 2012 Server installation DVD from Microsoft, can I download this (trial version) from Microsoft website for now to install it and enter the license code to activate later?
(3) Windows 2012 Server will be used for Terminal Service, Hyper-V, and Server backup. Using Hyper-V, I plan on installing SBS2011 as VM and Domain Controller. Do you see any issues with this senario?
(4) Can I use Windows Native Backup program to backup both Windows Server 2012 and SBS2011 Virtual Machine in Hyper-V environment in single external USB hard drive or I have to have two separate external USB hard drives?
(5) What kind of memory/hard drive space allocation should I do (during Hyper-V setup) for both OS? I have a new server box with 32GB RAM and 2TB HD.
I need to setup a server system for about 10 users including Terminal Service/Exchange.
After listening experts on this board regarding two choices (VMWare ESXi and Hyper-V), this time I have decided to go with Hyper-V that comes standard with Windows 2012. I am going to purchase Windows 2012 Server this week.
That said, since I am not familiar with setting up Hyper-V, I would like to get some advise from experts who have setup Hyper-V using Windows 2012 Server.
(1) Can you give me some guidelines on how to and what to expect during the installation?
(2) Since it will take time to receive a Windows 2012 Server installation DVD from Microsoft, can I download this (trial version) from Microsoft website for now to install it and enter the license code to activate later?
(3) Windows 2012 Server will be used for Terminal Service, Hyper-V, and Server backup. Using Hyper-V, I plan on installing SBS2011 as VM and Domain Controller. Do you see any issues with this senario?
(4) Can I use Windows Native Backup program to backup both Windows Server 2012 and SBS2011 Virtual Machine in Hyper-V environment in single external USB hard drive or I have to have two separate external USB hard drives?
(5) What kind of memory/hard drive space allocation should I do (during Hyper-V setup) for both OS? I have a new server box with 32GB RAM and 2TB HD.
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Rancy
Thanks you for the download link.
Thanks you for the download link.
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@cgaliher, @leew
Thanks for your comments and I appreciate it. I like to revisit item#3 - setting up multiple server software in one box.
1. Install Windows 2012 Standard first.
2. Install Hyper-V on W2012 to install two VMs -
(1st VM) Install SBS2011 as DC, File/Exchange/Print Server.
(2nd VM) Windows 2008R2 - Terminal Server / Quickbooks Multi-User Version Server.
Do you forsee any issues with this setup?
Thanks for your comments and I appreciate it. I like to revisit item#3 - setting up multiple server software in one box.
1. Install Windows 2012 Standard first.
2. Install Hyper-V on W2012 to install two VMs -
(1st VM) Install SBS2011 as DC, File/Exchange/Print Server.
(2nd VM) Windows 2008R2 - Terminal Server / Quickbooks Multi-User Version Server.
Do you forsee any issues with this setup?
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"Intuit supports on RDS is QuickBooks Enterprise" ---> Thank you for that.
Now if you see a problem with the senario that I laid out, how would you set things up then?
I have 10 users who are going to connect the terminal server to access their email, quickbooks, word, excel. I wish I could do it all in one server install like SBS2011, but it does not provide Terminal Service, so I need to create VM for that unless I buy another server box.
Now if you see a problem with the senario that I laid out, how would you set things up then?
I have 10 users who are going to connect the terminal server to access their email, quickbooks, word, excel. I wish I could do it all in one server install like SBS2011, but it does not provide Terminal Service, so I need to create VM for that unless I buy another server box.
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"In short, you will have problems if you try to host the QuickBooks database server component on your remote desktop services VM." ---> Can you tell me why it would be a problem to run Terminal Service and Quickbook database from the same Virutial serfver?
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I thought that you can create only TWO VMs in 2012 Hyper-V and I see three VMs in your senario.
I just discovered a new twist. My customer runs Quick Books Enterprise software (they are tax accounts) and Intuit support just told me that Quick Books Enterprise version is NOT compatible with W2012, though it is compatible with W2008 R2.
So revised setup senario would be then:
Physical: 2012 with the Hyper-V role.
VM1: SBS 2011
VM2: An Application server running Server 2008 R2. Install the QuickBooks Enterprise
VM3: Server 2012 with the RDS role. QuickBooks client application and other client applications such as OUTLOOK, WORD, EXCEL
I just discovered a new twist. My customer runs Quick Books Enterprise software (they are tax accounts) and Intuit support just told me that Quick Books Enterprise version is NOT compatible with W2012, though it is compatible with W2008 R2.
So revised setup senario would be then:
Physical: 2012 with the Hyper-V role.
VM1: SBS 2011
VM2: An Application server running Server 2008 R2. Install the QuickBooks Enterprise
VM3: Server 2012 with the RDS role. QuickBooks client application and other client applications such as OUTLOOK, WORD, EXCEL
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Thanks for thorough explanation about Hyper-V licensing. I have a better understanding.
I spoke to Quickbook Support again just now about the installation of Quickbook Enterprise and this is what they told me.
I can install Quickbook Enterprise on SBS2011 because it is essentially 2008 R2.
For terminal server installation, I just put the same program CD in the Terminal Server and choose "Program Only". That is it.
So it looks like 3rd VM may not be necessary. Below is revised setup senario:
Physical: 2012 with the Hyper-V role.
VM1: SBS 2011 with Quickbook Enterprise w/ database management (something like that)
VM2: Server 2012 with the RDS role. QuickBooks client application and other client applications such as OUTLOOK, WORD, EXCEL WORD, EXCEL
I spoke to Quickbook Support again just now about the installation of Quickbook Enterprise and this is what they told me.
I can install Quickbook Enterprise on SBS2011 because it is essentially 2008 R2.
For terminal server installation, I just put the same program CD in the Terminal Server and choose "Program Only". That is it.
So it looks like 3rd VM may not be necessary. Below is revised setup senario:
Physical: 2012 with the Hyper-V role.
VM1: SBS 2011 with Quickbook Enterprise w/ database management (something like that)
VM2: Server 2012 with the RDS role. QuickBooks client application and other client applications such as OUTLOOK, WORD, EXCEL WORD, EXCEL
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@cgaliher
Thanks for additional explanation on licensing.
Thanks for additional explanation on licensing.
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@cgaliher
I got you. I don't want performance issue or lockup issues either. I have installed SBS2003 and SBS2011 for multiple customer network and never had a problem. Of course none of them ran SQL server either, Just Exchange.
In this particular situation, I just wanted to set up as few VMs as possible from management standpoint and I wanted all the data files in one place (SBS2011). Besides they will have about 5 con-current users using WORD/EXCEL/OUTLOOK/QUICKBO
If you still believe SBS2011 (w/o SQL Server) would definately cause problems, I will following the originally suggested senario with 3 VMs.
Physical: 2012 with the Hyper-V role.
VM1: SBS 2011
VM2: An Application server running Server 2008 R2. Install the QuickBooks Enterprise
VM3: Server 2008R2 with the RDS role. QuickBooks client application and other client applications such as OUTLOOK, WORD, EXCEL
I got you. I don't want performance issue or lockup issues either. I have installed SBS2003 and SBS2011 for multiple customer network and never had a problem. Of course none of them ran SQL server either, Just Exchange.
In this particular situation, I just wanted to set up as few VMs as possible from management standpoint and I wanted all the data files in one place (SBS2011). Besides they will have about 5 con-current users using WORD/EXCEL/OUTLOOK/QUICKBO
If you still believe SBS2011 (w/o SQL Server) would definately cause problems, I will following the originally suggested senario with 3 VMs.
Physical: 2012 with the Hyper-V role.
VM1: SBS 2011
VM2: An Application server running Server 2008 R2. Install the QuickBooks Enterprise
VM3: Server 2008R2 with the RDS role. QuickBooks client application and other client applications such as OUTLOOK, WORD, EXCEL
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@cgaliher
It is good to know that Quickbooks is not memory-friendly.
@leew
"Quickbooks will be down for 5 minutes" instead of e-mail, quickbooks, file sharing, and internet will be down for 20 minutes" ---> great example.
Why don't we put anything on "Physical: 2012 with the Hyper-V role"?
Is that because we can utilize other VMs for APPs and TS service w/o additiona cost?
Another thing is that it is too bad that users don't get to enjoy TS 2012 due to Quickbooks incompatibility; therefore settle for W2008 R2 - old technology.
It is good to know that Quickbooks is not memory-friendly.
@leew
"Quickbooks will be down for 5 minutes" instead of e-mail, quickbooks, file sharing, and internet will be down for 20 minutes" ---> great example.
Why don't we put anything on "Physical: 2012 with the Hyper-V role"?
Is that because we can utilize other VMs for APPs and TS service w/o additiona cost?
Another thing is that it is too bad that users don't get to enjoy TS 2012 due to Quickbooks incompatibility; therefore settle for W2008 R2 - old technology.
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@cgaliher
"1+2 is only valid if the physical instance is only used for hyper-v" --> I got it now.
Regarding backups .... now I have one Physical 2012 with hyper-V and three VMs. Do I need 4 external USB drives for each OS?
Another question about TS licensing ... I have setup TS licensing server and had to call Microsoft to activate it. My question is if I buy & activate a "5 User RDS license" and 6th person try to log on to the TS, what happens?
"1+2 is only valid if the physical instance is only used for hyper-v" --> I got it now.
Regarding backups .... now I have one Physical 2012 with hyper-V and three VMs. Do I need 4 external USB drives for each OS?
Another question about TS licensing ... I have setup TS licensing server and had to call Microsoft to activate it. My question is if I buy & activate a "5 User RDS license" and 6th person try to log on to the TS, what happens?
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@cgaliher
Thanks for RDS licensing information.
As to the backup, I have trditionalled used Backup Exec. Recently with SBS2011s, I started using Windows Native Backup and I like it.But my question is how do you back up VMs? Other than backing up SBS2011(data house) daily - I personally see the reason to backup all other VMs more than once a week.
However since I have not seen Hyper-V, I am not quite sure how you back up VMs.
Can I use Windows backup program to backup one physical 2012 and 3 VMs on a SINGLE external USB drive or do I need 4 external USB backup drives?
Thanks for RDS licensing information.
As to the backup, I have trditionalled used Backup Exec. Recently with SBS2011s, I started using Windows Native Backup and I like it.But my question is how do you back up VMs? Other than backing up SBS2011(data house) daily - I personally see the reason to backup all other VMs more than once a week.
However since I have not seen Hyper-V, I am not quite sure how you back up VMs.
Can I use Windows backup program to backup one physical 2012 and 3 VMs on a SINGLE external USB drive or do I need 4 external USB backup drives?
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Can I use Windows backup program to backup one physical 2012 and 3 VMs on a SINGLE external USB drive or do I need 4 external USB backup drives?
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Ok. I will just have to try to see what works the best. Thanks.
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