Upgrading to Windows 2008 R2

Upgrade our testlab machine from Windows 2008 64bit Ent SP2 to Windows 2008 R2 (RC).

What is running on top of it:
- IIS
- Hyper-V

How to upgrade? Just put in Windows 2008 R2 RC DVD, click for upgrade. It will show the programs/apps that is not compatible, you will need to uninstall some of the apps (that not supported) to ensure a smooth upgrade.

It will then prompt KB957256. As for today, not be able to find this KB article.

We ignore it (cause in a test lab - you might want to test and test and test in a live environment).

After the upgrade, the installation wizard will transfer your files, settings and programs to the R2 environment.

Within 2 hours, everything is up and running. It is the easiet upgade we ever had.

Good job MSFT.

Different type of virtual network in Hyper-V

Currently in Hyper-V Manager, you can create three different type of virtual network, which is External, Internal, and Private. A lot of people may wondering these virtual network behavior and what is the scenario to use them. Below is the brief explanation for each type of virtual network:

If assign External virtual network to virtual machine, the virtual machine is allow to communicate between:

• Virtual machine to virtual machine (two way communication) on the same host
• Virtual machine to parent partition (two way communication)
• Virtual machine to other physical servers (two way communication)

If assign Internal virtual network to virtual machine, the virtual machine is allow to communicate between:

• Virtual machine to virtual machine (two way communication) on the same host
• Virtual machine to parent partition (two way communication)

If assign Private virtual network to virtual machine, the virtual machine is allow to communicate between:

• Virtual machine to virtual machine (two way communication) on the same host

Hope the above information is able to clear your doubt on basic virtual network concept in Hyper-V.

Virtualization support

Recently, met up with few customer that interested with microsoft virtualization solution. However, they have different opinion and understanding. To share with you guys:

1) Yes, you will need Windows 2008 CAL to run Windows 2008 Hyper-V - however you need to understand this CAL is not just for Hyper-V - you can then run Windows 2008 other features, eg: Domain controller with RODC, serverCore +++

2) Lots of people did mention that Hyper-V do not support Windows 2000 as its virtual machine. It does, you will need SP4 and only support 1 proc. Check the guest operating system supports for Hyper-V:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/954958/en-us

3) Other Microsoft product supported in other virtualization technology? Well, hopefully all in the near future. See what Microsoft would say: Its support policy.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897615/

Install Hyper-V in Server Core

Recently, one of the audience asking on - how to install Hyper-V in Server Core???

First of all, the pre-req is the same, you will need a 64 b it hardware.

After install server core (which assume, servername, IP is configured).

then, in command prompt,

Type “start /w ocsetup Microsoft-Hyper-V” to enable Hyper-V role.

Restart when prompted.

Thats it. You can then manage from your Windows Vista or another Windows Server 2008.

Windows 2008 Hyper-V now RTM

Guys, good news!!!

At last, Windows 2008 Hyper-V is now RTM, yes, today!

This is the complete Hyper-V RTM package for Windows Server 2008 x64. This package must be installed on the Hyper-V Parent Partition (Can be either full or core).

Note: Once you isntall, cannot be uninstalled.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=F3AB3D4B-63C8-4424-A738-BADED34D24ED