Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of Russell
Russell

asked on

Migrate Microsoft VDI from 2008 R2 to 2012

I have a working VDI setup that I'm trying to migrate from Server 2008 R2 to Server 2012, but I can't get the broker to see the VMs on the 2012 virtualization host server. Ideally, I'd like to continue using the existing 2008 R2 broker. I have created a new 2012 broker (and redirector), in case the problem was with mixing 2008 and 2012, but it also shows 0 VMs. I've even created a new VPC from scratch on the 2012 server, which also doesn't show up.

I'm at a loss of how to diagnose the problem. Is it even possible to keep the same configuration (2008 broker and redirector) and just move the VMs to the 2012 Hyper-V, or should I give up on that idea?

The broker and redirector are separate 2008 R2 virtual PCs, now running off the 2012 Hyper-V. When I originally added the 2012 server to the 2008 broker, as a new virtualization host server, I got a message saying that the Hyper-V Virtual Machine Manager wasn't running. Now (after creating the 2012 broker) I get a message (when adding the 2012 server to the 2008 broker) saying that it's already assigned to the 2012 broker, and I'd have to remove it for the machines to show up.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction to diagnose where the problem is, and perhaps confirm if I do have to (or should) focus on creating a 2012-only broker/redirector, or if I can somehow get the 2012 Hyper-V to show up as a virtualization host in the existing configuration.
Avatar of Philip Elder
Philip Elder
Flag of Canada image

This is the closest I can come to your scenario: Add 2008 R2 RemoteApps to 2012 Deployment though in reverse.

Though this TechNet Forum post says otherwise: Upgrade\migration from windows 2008 R2 RDS to windows server 2012 RDS (VDI).

It looks to me as though this is an "all or nothing" deal. Meaning, you will need to migrate your RDS infrastructure to 2012 native to bring about full compatibility. Note the TechNet forum mentions how to migrate the VMs.
Avatar of Russell
Russell

ASKER

Thanks. I did come across that Technet article. The problem is that I can't create a collection, as there's no virtual machines to choose from. From the 2012 broker/redirector machine, I go to make a personal virtual desktop collection and get as far as specifying the virtual desktops screen, which lists no available virtual desktops. The "Collections" screen lists the 2012 server, under host servers, but says there are 0 virtual desktops (presumably this number works like the 2008 version and lists the number of VMs, regardless of them being assigned). The fresh virtual machine is on the server, with the correct name (matching its full host.domain name), and configured as per http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/library/ee216746.aspx (for lack of finding anything specific to 2012).

My Google-fu is failing me on this one. I can't find anything that isn't just a step-through of the single-server pooled desktop wizard (and totally glosses over setting up the guest OS; I'm guessing Win8 doesn't need special configuration?). If I could get the 2012 VDI working, I could try and work backwards to get it working with the 2008 R2 broker, but without it working with straight 2012 I think I'm wasting my time.

If anyone has a good guide for setting up a win7 guest OS for use on a 2012 VDI setup, I think that would go a long way to helping me with this one. Any kind of VDI diagnostics/checklist would also be great.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Philip Elder
Philip Elder
Flag of Canada image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of Russell

ASKER

Thanks for the guides, Philip. I haven't had a chance to move further with this, but the guides look thorough enough that I should be able to work out what went wrong (or at least get it working with 2012 components). I'll mark this as the answer, rather than drag it out until I get more time to work on the problem.