Hi,

I've successfully installed ESXi on a test host and am trying to figure out how to migrate a live server installation into a virtual machine. I've plodded about at VMWare's site trying to find tools, but am having difficulty.

I've already installed a random virtual machine just to test it, I know it's working. I don't want to recreate a forest-level domain as it's too much work, there has to be a way to migrate the live servers over.

Anyone have any tips? I'd assume some sort of software would have to be installed on the live server to do this?

For most of my P2V operations I've used MOA from http://sanbarrow.com/ which build upon VMware Converter to perform cold clones. VMware Converter can also be used to run a hot clone.

But for a domain controller I would suggest creating a new VM and then promoting it to a DC. But if you choose to clone a DC here's an article about the process - http://www.vi-tips.com/2009/06/p2v-of-d ... oller.html. Ideally you would perform a cold clone and I would first cold clone to a VM on an isolated network (that way you can test to see if the DC comes up properly first). Then run the live P2V operation. Once the P2Ved DC is on the network you can't really go back to the old one.

P2v?

Physical to virtual.

Great, I'll give it a shot. Might try it once after hours and see if one'll boot in another segment of the LAN. If I can get it to work then I'll plan time to try and do both servers.

Just to clarify what I meant by an isolated network, you can create a vSwitch that is linked to no physical NIC port. Any VMs on that network won't have any connectivity to the rest of your network. If you have any problems with the P2V test it'll have 0 impact on your network.

Yes, I saw that when creating a VM. However, I plan to do P2V for 3 server and run them in an isolated segment/VLAN to see if I hit any roadbumps. I'll have a XP workstation temporarily in a VM so I can try logging into the domain to see if it works.