Create VM From SBS2008

[rosco]

We have a SBS 2008 server. I would like to convert it to a VMWare virtual machine mainly for testing but I was also thinking it might come in handy for disaster recovery.

What is the best way to do that? VMWare convertor?

Thanks.

 

[Sp33dFr33k]

I would use the VMware converter.

 

[dbwillis]

vmware converter (for player, workstation or ESX) or the Disk2VHD from sysinternals for HyperV

 

[rosco]

I was thinking ESX so convertor sounds like the solution so far.

Any links you have that would provide step by step instructions on how to do this?

My OEM version of SBS 2008 from Dell is going to be a problem, isn't it.

 

[Grentz]

OEM version should not be an issue.

Converter is very straightforward to use.
http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/converter_pubs.html

 

[rosco]

The converter user guide says the following about OEM licenses:
NOTE You cannot move original equipment manufacturer (OEM) licenses between physical machines. The
license is attached to the server when you purchase it from the OEM and cannot be reassigned. You can only
reassign retail and volume licenses to new physical servers. If you migrate an OEM Windows image, you must
have a Windows Server Enterprise or Datacenter Edition license to run multiple virtual machines.


So, I'm OK because I won't be moving it to another physical server, only using it as a virtual server in case of a disaster situation?

I know I've run into issues before running a OEM version of Windows XP (I think it was XP not windows 7) in a virtual environment. It saw the change in hardware it was running on and that it was no longer on Dell equipment.

 

[Deleted member 16178]

Sometimes the license issue comes up. I would just try and see if you run into a problem. Worse case, you still have the physical box.

 

[Grentz]

The converter user guide says the following about OEM licenses:
NOTE You cannot move original equipment manufacturer (OEM) licenses between physical machines. The
license is attached to the server when you purchase it from the OEM and cannot be reassigned. You can only
reassign retail and volume licenses to new physical servers. If you migrate an OEM Windows image, you must
have a Windows Server Enterprise or Datacenter Edition license to run multiple virtual machines.


So, I'm OK because I won't be moving it to another physical server, only using it as a virtual server in case of a disaster situation?

I know I've run into issues before running a OEM version of Windows XP (I think it was XP not windows 7) in a virtual environment. It saw the change in hardware it was running on and that it was no longer on Dell equipment.

Windows saw the change in hardware, which forced a reactivation. You will likely have the same issue. It has nothing to do with it not being dell equipment (this happens with retail licenses as well).

The issue is, how are you going to reactivate it? If the machine was activated by SLIC (essentially the BIOS), then you are going to either need to try a phone activation or have a different product key.

Legally in the EULA you cannot move an OEM licensed install, but that differs a bit from what Windows limits you to. Plus in this case it sounds like you are using it as more of a backup than trying to mirror the server and essentially have 2 servers.

 

[rosco]

What method does Dell typically use? It is an OEM version of SBS 2008 that came loaded on the Dell server when we purchased it.

We are using this as a disaster recovery solution. The idea is to have a virtual machine of the server infrastructure that we can load on a VMWare server temporarily in case of a disaster. It would be a temporary stop gap measure until the replacement equipment is ordered.