Convert Physical Domain Controller to VM

[olegarr]

Hello:

Maybe it’s a more question about directories, but anyway…

I have to convert my physical domain controller to VM. It’s Windows 2003 and my domain has 2003 mode.

Can I just P2V it? Or there will be any issue with it that? Is it better way to demote it, take out of domain, P2V and them join this VM and promote to DC?

My problem is that I do not know Active Directories very well, so P2V existing DC will be much more easier for me, but I concern about issues that I might have…

Thank you very much for your help.

olegarr

[jayolsen]

Best bet is to build a new server on VMware and promote it a DC. If that isn't possible, then I'd say do a cold-clone p2v. That is where you boot the physical server to a cd so the OS isn't running during the migration. I have done this a few times and no issues. But building a new one is still probably the best and maybe even easier way.

[vmroyale]

As jayolsen stated, best bet is always to build new. Check out this Microsoft article for more info about the process and what could go wrong.

[olegarr]

Yes, I know that best bet is always to build new, but there are too many of other services on this DC and I really do not want to deal with them... Hoped that I can just P2V everything at once....

Is anyone did Physical Domain Controller to VM?

Thanks

[jayolsen]

Yes, I have done it using the cold clone method and it did work.

[TomHowarth]

If you absolutely have to P2V a DC then it has to be done cold. and the physical machine must never see the light of day again or you will be in a whole world of pain. in my opinion building from scratch is most likely going to be less painful.

But at the end of the day you know your environment best.

Tom Howarth

VMware Communities User Moderator

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Moved to VI: Virtual Machine and Guest OS forum for larger audience

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[asatoran]

I've converted DCs on very small networks. (Single server.) So server is doing multiple roles; DC, SQL, print & file services, etc. I've done hot clones on some of these, but hot clones often corrupts Active Directory. I try to do cold clone as much as possible, if buliding new DC is not feasable. If you must hot clone, be prepared to restore AD, which negates any benefit of less downtime of a hot clone. So backup AD before P2V and turn off as many other services and applications during the P2V.