We have an old Windows 2003 Server that we would like to virtualize and then permanently remove from the current network. Then we want to access the virtualized server on Windows 7 desktops just for looking up old information, not for changing anything. What is the best approach to accomplishing this as cheaply as possible?
What would we install on the Windows 7 desktops in order to view the VM?
Thank you.
The easiest approach would be to just use RDP from the Win 7 boxes.
We prefer not to maintain the hardware any longer. It is out of warranty and parts would be too expensive.
Do you already have any virtualization platform in place (e.g. ESXi, VMware Workstation, ...)? How many users need access to the VM?
You could basically use VMware Converter to create a virtual machine out of the physical system and either keep it up and running without network connections on e.g. an ESXi host, and then access it using its console.
André
Ok- we thought we could use the VMware Converter. But we do not want to keep it up and running. It just has some data on it in a proprietary program that we may have to view at some point in the future.. Would the Windows 7 desktops be able to open it using MS Virtual PC? Or would they have to have VM Workstation installed on them? It's just 2-3 desktops that we want a copy of the VM on.
You don't necessarily need VMware Workstation in this case. VMware Player would also do.
André
Hi there, if you just wanted to get/view data/files/folders (but not W2K3 environment) offline, try backup your C: or any partition drives by backup software. You may refer back using the backup software .... but I am not sure whether this is helpful or not ...
It's just 2-3 desktops that we want a copy of the VM on.
Do you have 3 separate Licenses for the Windows Server 2003? If not you may not legally P2V it to three different Hosts!