VM Copy - SQL 2008 on SVR2008R2

[ODUcomputer]

If I were to copy a VM that is running, SQL SVR2008 ENT on Windows Server 2008 R2 but does not currently have a database setup(just the software has been installed), are there any issues that anyone has experienced when finally bringing both the machines online?

Current:

1 - SQL 2008 Machine - Not joined to a domain or running a server

Future:

2 - SQL 2008 Machines - On the domain running DIFFERENT servers(unrelated).

Thanks!

[vmroyale]

Hello and welcome to the communities.

Note: Discussion successfully moved from VMware ESXi 5 to Virtual Machine & Guest OS

[ODUcomputer]

Thanks for the welcoming and placing me in the correct bin!

[Gkeerthy]

really confused abt your question, give more clarification.....or details...

If I were to copy a VM that is running, SQL SVR2008 ENT on Windows  Server 2008 R2 but does not currently have a database setup(just the  software has been installed), are there any issues that anyone has  experienced when finally bringing both the machines online?

you can move or copy the enitre VM from one location to another....no issue....are you referring any cluster..setup....or p2v or v2v or moving from virtual to physical.. give more details.. about your query and what you need to achieve

[ODUcomputer]

Thanks for the reply.  Okay,

So I have a Windows Server 2008 VM I just created.   I have also just installed SQL-Server-2012-Enterprise on this VM.   This is as far as configuring as I have done, I have not joined to a domain or setup an actual database within the server.

Next,  I exported the OVF template and imported it into another/different ESX 5i server.   I have brought the machine up without a hitch, renamed it and still have NOT joined it to the domain or setup a database with it.

I heard that if you install SQL on a VM and clone the VM to another ESX 5i host it will create conflicts, is this true?(something about the unique identifier numbers being duplicates?)

OR

Is this the correct way of doing this?

Thanks, hope that helped!

[Gkeerthy]

if it is a normal vm you can make a ovf/ova appliance and export and then import..but this method wont regenerate the SID..

so you can make a template and deploy and this will reset the SID...

now for the DB vms... normally we dont do...and not recommeded...but it is possible...any way after the deployment you need to regenerate the sid..

and DB ID, else it will create issues..

http://serverfault.com/questions/28221/how-does-changing-windows-sid-affect-sql-server

http://www.kendalvandyke.com/2009/01/changing-machine-sid-with-newsid-breaks.html

http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX107406

but the good way... is create a template of normal OS, the configure customization specification answer file and configure to regenerate SID..

then deploy the VM and then install the Database.. this is the best method

[Kahonu84]

Then you re-open the debate "are unique SIDs really a big deal any more?".

[ODUcomputer]

I'll give this a try and let you know!

Thanks again!