Virtualize a server

By | September 15, 2016

This post will walk through the NMS standard process for virtualizing a server using the utility Disk2vhd v2.01 or greater.
1) Remove any unneeded data to limit the final VHD size
2) Uninstall any antivirus software and restart
3) From the system to be virtualized map a drive to the server that will host the Hyper-V. This destination should be a share in the root of the drive where the VHD will reside d:\hyper-V
4) Use Disk Management to determine the new VHD configuration. Each Disk is virtualized as a single VHD.
Visualize a server - Disk Manager

 

 

 

 

Disk 0 contains 2 volumes so we will create Server_0.vhd and select both C: & E:
Visualize a server - Disk2vhd_0

 

 

 

 

Disk 1 contains 1 volume so we will create Server_1.vhd and select the D volume:
Visualize a server - Disk2vhd_1

 

 

 

 

5) Stop any services that will cause data to be stored during the VDH creation process: On an Exchange server we set the MSE Transport service to disabled and block inbound SMTP on the router. Dismount the private and public stores to prevent corruption.
6) Capture the IP Address as this will be applied to the new virtual system.
7) Run the Disk2vhd utility and virtualize each disk with these settings:

  • Select Use Volume Shadow Copy.
  • Only select use Vhdx if you are running a Server 2012 or greater environment. You will not be able to run these from a PC or 3rd party programs such as Virtual Box.

8) Setup the new Virtual PC as follows:

  • Map the 0 drive to the primary IDE controller
  • Map any additional drives to the SCSI controller
  • Add enough memory and processors to support the system
  • Set the NIC to disconnected

9) Boot the Virtual PC. Install the guest services, set the Static IP and reboot.
10) Verify all volumes are working on the virtual system.
11) Once all is working shutdown the old system and ensure it will not be powered on.
12) Enable the NIC, enable any services previously set to disabled and open the firewall.
13) Reinstall any antivirus software and reboot.
14) Test traffic and any services supported by the system.