Converting - Best Practices

[cnusskern]

What is the best practice in converting a physical server into a virtual server? I have installed the ESXi server and have installed the VMware Converter on the physical server that I want to convert. I want to migrate the server and then turn off the physical server, what is the best way to do this?

[atbnet]

I have created some docs I use for converting servers. Maybe this is of use to you?

The best way depends a great deal on what it is you are converting. What it is you are converting?

Pre Conversion Checklist

Conversion Checklist

Removing Old Devices After P2V

Maybe there are of use to you?

Andy, VMware Certified Professional (VCP),

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[cnusskern]

Currently there are two physical servers, both are Windows Server 2003, one houses AD/Exchange and the other is an app server. We have purchased a new Dell Server and have installed ESXi on it. The goal is to virtualize the entire network, so that both of the physical server will be hosted by the ESXi server. Later down the road the goal is to setup a DR site with another ESXi server that would house another copy of the production virtual servers so if the primary site goes away we can fall back to the DR site and recover.

[atbnet · Accepted solution]

The best way to virtualize an AD server is to create a new DC and sync all the data first, then transfer the roles to the new virtual DC. Then demote the original DC.

Definatley dont hot clone the DC it is discoraged, you will get all kinds of errors afterwards with tombstone objects. Also the way I suggest there is still no downtime.

As for the exchange server being on your DC I would recommend putting that on a seperate server and installing that from scratch as it is currently on a DC. Obviously this is if licensing permits you to do that.

Andy, VMware Certified Professional (VCP),

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[TomHowarth]

Welcome to the forums, I have moved your post into the dedicated vConverter forum

to answer your questions, the current best practice for AD and Exchange servers is to create new ones, in the case of the DC run DC promo on it and in the case of the Exchange, create a new member server and migrate mailboxes to it

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Tom Howarth

VMware Communities User Moderator

Blog: www.planetvm.net