VMware Communities: Message List - P2Ving domain controllers

Re: P2Ving domain controllers

VMadmin — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:05:54 GMT

In our case we have some directory synchronization software that is a pain to reinstall. Obviously, P2V'ing DC's isn't somthing that many people will have to do since, as you pointed out, it is much easier to install another DC from scratch and move Single Master of Operations Roles as needed.

Re: P2Ving domain controllers

Mike_Laverick — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 17:21:01 GMT

why bother with DC p2v

Build clean VM...
Do a AD restore to copy most of the domain objects
and then let the VM AD sync with the rest of the controllers...

I think the big issue with DC's is how time sensitive they are - you really need time cracked on ESX for it dependable

Regards
Mike

Re: P2Ving domain controllers

VMadmin — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:21:00 GMT

There is an issue when P2V'ing a DC (Windows 2000 and Windows 2003). It affects the AD's Update Sequence number and can halt DFS replication. I know that PlateSpin PowerConvert and Ghost causes this issue but I'm not too sure if VMware P2V is smart enough to reset the AD "up-to-dateness vector." Check this out as the event log does not always indicate an issue!

For more information, see the following Microsoft articles:

Windows 2000: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885875/

Windows 2003: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875495/

These MS articles were posted in June 2006 and also affects VM's on Microsoft Virtual Server.

I hope this helps!

VMadmin

Re: P2Ving domain controllers

abaum — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 18:20:28 GMT

Yes it is. Once it failed, I just removed the P2V CD and it worked fine. I may have an idea...P2V 2.1 has never worked for so I was using 2.03. Maybe it has a problem. Occasionally I get a reconfig error when using 2.03 so I do the reconfig with 2.1.

I am going to try the new P2V and see if it helps. The reason I used the old one is that 2.1 has a problem with my HP 6i controllers. It doesn't seem to recognize them.

adam

Re: P2Ving domain controllers

eksim — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 17:34:09 GMT

Hi adam

I will be doing this soon too. Can i check with you if the source server is still in working condition after the P2V?

Regards
eksim

Re: P2Ving domain controllers

juchestyle — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 17:11:37 GMT

Hey man,

With respect to ghosting, try the the Ultimate boot cd using BartPE. It is actually easier and faster than regular p2v'ing. You can ghost directly to the blank hard drive using the tool. When you build it, it creates an Iso that you can boot a brand new vm into; and it builds you a physical cd for the physical machine. Smooth tools.

Respectfully,
Matthew

Re: P2Ving domain controllers

abaum — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 14:54:32 GMT

Yes I did.

Re: P2Ving domain controllers

timmerj — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 08:33:47 GMT

I did a w2k3 domain controller p2v with no problems what so ever. Did you use a win2003 machine in your p2v proces?

Re: P2Ving domain controllers

abaum — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 20:02:16 GMT

I would rather not create a new DC since I run DNS/DHCP/WINS and a few other network services on my lab DC's. My production DCs are in a similar config so it's not so simple.

adam

Re: P2Ving domain controllers

boydd — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 19:19:52 GMT

You may want to try ghosting it and preserve disk sigs. You could also just create a new vm and run dcpromo on it (easier).

DB

P2Ving domain controllers

abaum — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 18:59:14 GMT

All, how do you P2V a w2k3 domain controller? I run though the normal p2v process, but I end up with a vm that doesn't work right. The system event log shows events on disk signatures, replication failures, etc.

adam