Virtualising the SQL server that holds the Virtual Center Database

[Kevan]

Hi

We are running ESX 3.5 update 4 and Virtual Center 2.5.

We have P to V'd nearly all our servers now and I am left with just a few Physical servers. One of the physical servers that is left is the SQL server that hosts the Virtual Center Database.

I have been asked to virtualise this server but am concerned as to how the Virtual Center Database will behave.

The question is can I virtualize this server whilst it is running the VC database? If so what precations should I take before kicking off the virtualization process.

I usualy just run the standard VM Converter from within Virtual Center and select any applicable options.

Can anybody offer me any advice.

Would I be better migrating the Virtual Center Database to another SQL server that has already been virtualized before converting this SQL server with the remainder of it's databases?

Thank you in advance for any help that can be offered.

Regards

Kevan

[peetz]

You should not virtualize an SQL server while it is running databases. One way to do it properly is the following:

1. Stop the VC service on the VC server

2. Stop the SQL service on the database server

3. Use the standalone converter to P2V the database server directly to one of the ESX hosts. The standalone converter is free and available here: http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/

4. Log in to that ESX host using the VI client and power on the virtualized database server.

5. Restart the VC service on the VC server

Andreas

[JimmyOOOOO]

We used the steps described by 'peetz' to successfully virtualize (P2V) an ancient W2K/SQL7 box we had running our CRM database, with the exception of stopping the VC service on the VC server.