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Move Exchange 2010 SP2 from Physical to Virtual
Question
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I am currently running Exchange 2010 on a server which is hugely underutilised so am hoping to virtualize Exchange and other servers on this machine.
What is the best way to move/convert Exchange?
I will require this machine to be reinstalled with Server 2008 R2 server core to run only Hyper-V.
I thought of backing up (to multiple locations, just in case!!), reinstalling the server with core + Hyper-V, then restoring the backup to a new VM.
Or should I use the Sysinternals Disk2vhd tool first. Convert to VHD, then reinstall server with core and add the VHD as a new VM?
The Exchange databases and logs are on a separate RAID 5 array which would be left untouched so would making this disk available to the Exchange VM would allow it to continue where it left off after the server was restored from backup to the new VM?
I also read it is not recommended to use P2V tools with Exchange, but since I am required to reinstall the machine what choice do I have? In that case should I install Exchange on another server, move all databases and users to that server, reinstall old server, install Exchange VM, then move all databases and users onto the new VM?
The more I think about this, the more my head spins, so any insight is appreciated.
Thanks.
Answers
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The better option would be to install another server and eventaully moving out the roles from physical to virtual.
Install Hyper-v server and then installl CAS, HUB and mailbox and eventually remove the roles form the physical .
You will have minimum to no downtime as well time to rectify anything you miss. The only issues would be the change of urls for cas etc which you might need to deal with ..
- Marked as answer by Castinlu Tuesday, February 21, 2012 1:38 AM
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hi,
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>>>Could I do all this reconfiguration using a trial license on the other server?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Details of products and services, you can contact Microsoft product and service center.
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/contact_microsoft_customer_serv?&fr=1
hope can help you
thanks,
castin
CastinLu
TechNet Community Support
- Marked as answer by Castinlu Tuesday, February 21, 2012 1:37 AM
All replies
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The better option would be to install another server and eventaully moving out the roles from physical to virtual.
Install Hyper-v server and then installl CAS, HUB and mailbox and eventually remove the roles form the physical .
You will have minimum to no downtime as well time to rectify anything you miss. The only issues would be the change of urls for cas etc which you might need to deal with ..
- Marked as answer by Castinlu Tuesday, February 21, 2012 1:38 AM
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Thanks for the quick reply.
So I would need to run another server alongside my current server and tranfer all roles and users to that? Then once transferred, reinstall current server and configure the Hyper-V Exchange installation and transfer back?
Trouble is, I only have one Exchange license... Could I do all this reconfiguration using a trial license on the other server?
Thanks.
-
hi,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>Could I do all this reconfiguration using a trial license on the other server?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Details of products and services, you can contact Microsoft product and service center.
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/contact_microsoft_customer_serv?&fr=1
hope can help you
thanks,
castin
CastinLu
TechNet Community Support
- Marked as answer by Castinlu Tuesday, February 21, 2012 1:37 AM
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The best answer for your question is:
Make new Exchange nodes as virtual machines to be member on your current physical DAG after that move your Databases on it, then make additional domain controller on virtual machine then transfer the FSMO roles from your current physical domain controller to it... at the end demote your physical environment.
Note: there is no down time in this solution.
:)
- Edited by Mahmoud.Hanafi Tuesday, February 18, 2014 11:27 AM
- Proposed as answer by mahmoudshoaala Thursday, June 25, 2015 8:02 AM
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