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VirtualSingh
Contributor
Contributor

Cold Clone Conversion Issue

VMware Gurus, I need your help.

Issue:

  • A domain controller running on a physical HP DL360 G7 server cannot migrate using latest bootable VMware Converter ISO.

Errors:

  1. No network card are detecting
  2. Unable to determine Guest Operating System

Steps Taken:

  • Open case with VMware, Injected the network card drivers into ISO image but problem still persist

QUESTIONS:

  1. Is there any best /other approach doing P2V a domain controller? (Like Hot cloning, if safe or other safe method)
  2. What to do in the above situation?
  3. Any other suggestions or ideas of doing P2V a domain controller or while facing above errors?

NOTE: we have another server with similar model those running Exchange and SQL. So having said we need solution that applies on all applications server.

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12 Replies
arturka
Expert
Expert

Hi,

Why do you wanna do P2V for DC ? Woudn't be easier nad better to build VM from scratch and do synchro AD DB to new server ?

Take have a look at this doc, here you have all Best Practice how to virtualize AD

http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/Virtualizing_Windows_Active_Directory.pdf

Cheers
Artur
Please, don't forget the awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

By synchro I mean install AD, set up Seconday Domain controller, move all authentication traffic to new DC, after some time switch off old DC

Message was edited by: arturka

VCDX77 My blog - http://vmwaremine.com
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golddiggie
Champion
Champion

It's actually against best practices to P2V a DC...

I would build up a new DC, add it to the configuration, then retire the physical DC, making the virtual DC the main controller.

For the other servers, I would try using the installable converter on them. Just be sure to disable any non-critical services before you start the conversion process. That way things like SQL queries won't bugger the conversion.

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oric248
Contributor
Contributor

Another option is to demote the domain controller then try the P2V and then promote the new VM.

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continuum
Immortal
Immortal

Get a better coldclone CD - the one from VMware is known to have poor driver support


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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DSTAVERT
Immortal
Immortal

Yes indeed. Get MOASmiley Happy. http://sanbarrow.com/moa.html

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
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VirtualSingh
Contributor
Contributor

Where to get the better ISO image?

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continuum
Immortal
Immortal

sorry - no iso-images are available - that would be illegal
you have to build it yourself - see http://sanbarrow.com/moa241/videos/moa241-setup.html


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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AndreTheGiant
Immortal
Immortal

If you really need to P2V a DC you can use this step (I used for Windows Server 2000 and 2003 with no issue):

  • first check event viewer to be sure that no error exist
  • then install VMware Standalone Converter on the DC (you cannot install it later!)
  • write down the networking configuration
  • reboot the server in AD Restoration Mode
  • make the P2V and then power off the source
  • power on the VM without the vNIC connectect
  • fix the networking configuration and connect the vNIC
  • remove unncessary drivers and software
  • check event viewer

Andre

Andre | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
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VirtualSingh
Contributor
Contributor

When we try in restore mode we get following error...I also attached the log files in case needed.

FAILED: Unable to create a VSS snapshot of the source volume(s). Error code:
2147754753 (0x80042301).

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IRIX201110141
Champion
Champion

About the vss error please check http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976461/en-us

About the ColdClone ISO and the problem not detecting an OS please paste your boot.ini

Regards

Joerg

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AndreTheGiant
Immortal
Immortal

Which version of Windows do you have?

Andre | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
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vijayrabha
Contributor
Contributor

hii.....did you get any solution to your issue? because I'm also getting the same error and not able to proceed further. Please let me know if you find any solution to this issue.

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