Spinning up a new Hyper V virtual machine
I have a host server that is currently running a single Hyper V virtual server. I need to do a second virtual server, can I simply export my current one and then import it into a new virtual server?
Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
Yes, you can Export a Virtual Machine, and Import a virtual machine.
An export / import will retain all the existing Server characteristics - computer name / SID etc.
What version of Hyper-V are you using? 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2012 / 2012 R2 / 2016?
What version of Windows Server is your Virtual Server running?
Is the Virtual Server a Domain Controller?
If running 2012 or newer on both, it's possible to clone a Domain Controller pretty easily. I've only done it once though when I was studying for my MCSA. I can't find the article I followed originally (though that had a couple of errors in it!) but I trust these guys >
CANITPRO > https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/canitpro/2013/06/11/step-by-step-domain-controller-cloning/
TechNet > https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/askpfeplat/2012/10/01/virtual-domain-controller-cloning-in-windows-server-2012/
If it's not a DC, then it's a bit easier. You're pretty much right, export & import will work, but you'll probably want to do a Sysprep on the source Server first, to sanitise it of any identifiers > https://techjourney.net/how-to-clone-vm-virtual-machine-in-hyper-v/
What version of Hyper-V are you using? 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2012 / 2012 R2 / 2016?
What version of Windows Server is your Virtual Server running?
Is the Virtual Server a Domain Controller?
If running 2012 or newer on both, it's possible to clone a Domain Controller pretty easily. I've only done it once though when I was studying for my MCSA. I can't find the article I followed originally (though that had a couple of errors in it!) but I trust these guys >
CANITPRO > https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/canitpro/2013/06/11/step-by-step-domain-controller-cloning/
TechNet > https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/askpfeplat/2012/10/01/virtual-domain-controller-cloning-in-windows-server-2012/
If it's not a DC, then it's a bit easier. You're pretty much right, export & import will work, but you'll probably want to do a Sysprep on the source Server first, to sanitise it of any identifiers > https://techjourney.net/how-to-clone-vm-virtual-machine-in-hyper-v/
ASKER
The host is 2012r2 and the Virtual Server is 2008. It is not a DC. Was thinking I could export, shut the original down, import the new server, rename/configure it, then bring the original one back up. I will check into the Sysprep.
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