Virtualizing Single Domain Controller with services off

[richard1414]

Hi All,

I have read quite a bit about the pitfalls (USN Rollback,etc) of P2Ving an Active Directory domain controller. I have a possibly unique situation. My client's server is the only server on the domain and is a server 2003 with Active Directory and Exchange 2003 installed. This machine may not boot again (hardware failures) so I would like to do a live P2V (not the cold clone CD). If I shut off all domain controller and exchange related services prior to the P2V, will I be safe in this process?

Thanks!

Richard

[DSTAVERT]

You should have no problem. Shutting down services isn't a bad idea although the Converter tool can sync changes and shut down services as part of the cloning operations.

[AWo]

Welcome to the forums!

Why not cold cloning it?

AWo

VCP 3 & 4

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[MattG]

I agree. If you shut off all of the services you should be OK.

If you can clone some of the existing machines that it services, then I would recommend:

• Create a private vSwitch (no nics)

• Clone a handful of VMs that use the DC and connect them to the private vSwitch

• Take a snapshot of DC after P2V completes

• Connect DC to private network and turn services on

• Verify that everything work as expecte

• Remove clones

• Revert the DCs snapshot to the original P2Vd state

• Connect DC to production networ

• Startup services and test in production

-MattG

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[kchawk]

You shouldn't have any issues with p2ving a AD, especially with only on controller. The pitfalls for AD in virtual are the same ones in the physical world. I would be more concerned with making sure Exchange was stopped during the p2v. P2V is like pulling power cable then plugging it back in.

You probably know but don't forget to do the after p2v cleanup.

Run the following two commands in a cmd window.

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

devmgmt.msc

In dev manager under view select show hidden devices

Remove unused

[richard1414]

Thanks for the input everyone. The reason was I'm not cold cloning it is b/c I do not trust the hardware enough after recent failure to reboot.

I also plan to shut off all Exchange services prior to the p2v.

[DSTAVERT]

Let us know how it goes. Good luck.