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Solved
P2V'ing Windows 7 for lab
Posted on 2013-02-03
Hi,
We want to clone/P2V a couple of our desktops, add them to our vSphere cluster and people will then RDP to them and use them for testing. They'll be on the same prod network as the PCs we've cloned them from which will be running.
With XP we used NewSID to give the P2V'd image a new name and SID but what should we do for WIn7. Or,is there a another/better way to do this.
Thanks
We want to clone/P2V a couple of our desktops, add them to our vSphere cluster and people will then RDP to them and use them for testing. They'll be on the same prod network as the PCs we've cloned them from which will be running.
With XP we used NewSID to give the P2V'd image a new name and SID but what should we do for WIn7. Or,is there a another/better way to do this.
Thanks
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8 Comments
Active today
There is no requirement to change the SIDs of a Windows Machine, unless you are going to use WSUS in your network. Just make sure it has a new computer name (different), different MAC Address and IP Address.
The Microsoft supported method of cloning is to use SYSPREP, after the clone.otherwise, after the CLONE/P2V use SYSPREP.
also make sure you are using Retail versions of Windows OS, or Volume licenses. If OEM, Activation will break and not succeed in the VM.
see here
The Machine SID Duplication Myth (and Why Sysprep Matters)
see my EE Articles for Hints and Tips
HOW TO: P2V, V2V for FREE - VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0
HOW TO: Improve the transfer rate of a Physical to Virtual (P2V), Virtual to Virtual Conversion (V2V) using VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0
See this also about OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) versions
Note: Physical-to-virtual hard drive migration of a Windows installation is a valid function for customers with Software Assurance and full retail copies of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Software Assurance provides users valuable benefits—please contact Microsoft Corporation for further information. Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 installed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) using OEM versions of these products may not be transferred to a virtual hard drive in accordance with Microsoft licensing terms.
Source
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ee656415
http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Windows/XP/A_3721-Can-I-transfer-my-OEM-version-of-Windows-to-another-PC.html
The Microsoft supported method of cloning is to use SYSPREP, after the clone.otherwise, after the CLONE/P2V use SYSPREP.
also make sure you are using Retail versions of Windows OS, or Volume licenses. If OEM, Activation will break and not succeed in the VM.
see here
The Machine SID Duplication Myth (and Why Sysprep Matters)
see my EE Articles for Hints and Tips
HOW TO: P2V, V2V for FREE - VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0
HOW TO: Improve the transfer rate of a Physical to Virtual (P2V), Virtual to Virtual Conversion (V2V) using VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0
See this also about OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) versions
Note: Physical-to-virtual hard drive migration of a Windows installation is a valid function for customers with Software Assurance and full retail copies of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Software Assurance provides users valuable benefits—please contact Microsoft Corporation for further information. Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 installed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) using OEM versions of these products may not be transferred to a virtual hard drive in accordance with Microsoft licensing terms.
Source
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/ee656415
http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Windows/XP/A_3721-Can-I-transfer-my-OEM-version-of-Windows-to-another-PC.html
Cheers. Will have a look at your articles.
So i could P2V a desktop, then clone it multiple times ins vSphere, give it a new NIC (for new MAC) remove from domain, rename, release/refresh IPs and I'm good to go. What if we do want them patched by WSUS?
So i could P2V a desktop, then clone it multiple times ins vSphere, give it a new NIC (for new MAC) remove from domain, rename, release/refresh IPs and I'm good to go. What if we do want them patched by WSUS?
Active today
If you want to patch using WSUS you must use Sysprep.
VMware Convertor will change the Mac address, it may be easier to get your P2V VM, and then clone it X times.
VMware Convertor will change the Mac address, it may be easier to get your P2V VM, and then clone it X times.
I've not used Sysprep on Win7, you couldn't point me to a good article on what exactly i need to run for my situation.
Can i just run it manually from within the P2v'd/cloned VM?
Cheers
Can i just run it manually from within the P2v'd/cloned VM?
Cheers
Active today
1. sysprep one machine this is your base vhd
2. create a new virtual maching using differencing disks using the base vhd
3. repeat #2 as necessary
4. start each machine, change the computername to a unique name, activate
5. repeat #4 for each new virtual machine.
2. create a new virtual maching using differencing disks using the base vhd
3. repeat #2 as necessary
4. start each machine, change the computername to a unique name, activate
5. repeat #4 for each new virtual machine.
Active today
WSUS does not use SID. It uses SusClientId.
You maybe be able to delete this SusClientId using the below script.
http://www.paolofiorani.it/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=89
SusClientId will get recreated.
You maybe be able to delete this SusClientId using the below script.
http://www.paolofiorani.it/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=89
SusClientId will get recreated.
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