Starting with VMware ESXi

[EgbertJ]

Hi,

We like to virtualize our servers (2) and one Win7 computer to one new Dell PowerEdge R720 server.

(32GB memory, 2TB harddisk storage and a 2GB SD card for installing VMware on it)

This includes a Windows 2008 Small Business server and a Windows 2008R2 server.

We like to start with the free VMware ESXi version.

- When starting with this, do I need to create a new Small Business Server from scratch or can I convert existing machine to a VM?

- Can I just keep using this SBS server as we do now or do I need to reconfigure this or add an extra DC or ????

- Can I still use my USB devices when creating backups?

- Instead of creating backups the old way, can I just make a copy or create a snapshot of a VM?

- Are there disadvantages using the machines as VMs?

Thanks for your help,

Egbert

[cyberfed2727]

- When starting with this, do I need to create a new Small Business Server from scratch or can I convert existing machine to a VM?

--You can use VMware's converter standalone software to perform a P2V. Please use caution when it comes to domain controllers and follow MS best practices.

- Can I just keep using this SBS server as we do now or do I need to reconfigure this or add an extra DC or ????

See above in particular about P2Ving domain controllers.

- Can I still use my USB devices when creating backups?

ESXi 6.x supports USB pass-through, meaning you can connect a USB stick to your ESXi host and have it available to a VM.

- Instead of creating backups the old way, can I just make a copy or create a snapshot of a VM?

A full clone of a VM can be used as a backup. Snapshots are NOT meant to be used as backups and are not designed to function as such. Spend sometime understanding what snapshots actually do before you proceed.

- Are there disadvantages using the machines as VMs?

In most use cases no. Most modern operating systems and software will work just fine on VMs. The advantages are countless.