SET UP MULTIPLE VIRTUAL MACHINES WITH VSMT
If your organization is running legacy servers -- or even new, but
underutilized Windows Server 2003 systems -- you should consider using
Microsoft's Virtual Server 2005 in conjunction with the Virtual Server
2005 Migration Tool (VSMT) to more easily migrate these servers to
their virtual counterparts.
VSMT has a number of requirements. Here's a partial list:
* An Automated Deployment Services server running Windows Server 2003
Enterprise Edition (not the 64-bit version)
* VSMT installed on a separate server or the same server
* Virtual Server 2005 installed on a separate server or the same server
In addition, the server you wish to migrate must have PXE boot capabilities
achieved either via PXE features installed on the physical network
adapter or via the creation of a PXE boot disk. During the PXE boot
process, the system migrates the contents of the target server into
virtual hard drive files, which Virtual Server 2005 then uses.
You can download VSMT from Microsoft's Web site. It includes three
files:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/evaluation/vsmt.mspx
* VSMT_Setup.msi--the
setup program
* Relnotes.htm--the release notes
* Installation.htm--installation instructions
Keep in mind that the initial installation can be difficult. However,
if you're migrating a lot of physical servers to virtual machines,
VSMT can be an ideal tool.