Hyper-V 2008 Server Core Upgrade or reinstall

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:52:58 Z

We installed Hyper-v on a windows 2008 standard server core. We have realized we needed to install 2008 enterprise because we upgraded the memory to 64 Gb. What is the optimal solution.

1. Upgrade the server core from 2008 standard to 2008 enterprise. (If Possible)
2. Backup the virtual machines and reinstall with 2008 enterprise.

We currently have 8 guests running on the server and are in need of adding 8 more. If there is another suggestion please let me know.

Thanks,
Doug

Hyper-V 2008 Server Core Upgrade or reinstall

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:10:16 Z

You can upgrade from Standard to Enterprise with the full version, http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755199(WS.10).aspx#BKMK_Supported but it does not mention whether this includes Core version.

do you have your OS and Data partitions separate? if so I would backup the VMs, then reinstall server Core with Enterprise version and only format the OS partition. THis should then save your Data partition and just re-attach it to the new rebuilt server.

Hyper-V 2008 Server Core Upgrade or reinstall

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:53:30 Z

Yes our server has a data partition. That sounds like the best option. I don't ever like to do an upgrade but thought maybe it would be save a little time and be simple but I think it is best to reinstall.

One more question. If if decide to back up and completely change my server configuration. Is it as simple as backing up the VM's and restoring them when the server is rebuilt? Then just re-attaching.

Thanks for you response.

Hyper-V 2008 Server Core Upgrade or reinstall

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:33:39 Z

Hi,

You can export the VMs to a folder, after you have a reinstallation of the computer, you can import them into the Hyper-V again. This will keep all the settings of your VMs.

Hyper-V - Export & Import (Part 1)

http://blogs.msdn.com/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2008/08/26/hyper-v-export-import-part-1.aspx

Hyper-V - Export & Import (Part 2)

http://blogs.msdn.com/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2008/08/27/hyper-v-export-import-part-2.aspx

Note: Virtual machine import and export will not save and migrate virtual network settings. Please record the virtual network settings before reinstalling the Hyper-V server.

Best regards,

Vincent Hu