Details
This article describes the procedure of converting Microsoft Cluster (MSCS) nodes to a set of virtual machines with VMware Converter.
Solution
To convert Microsoft Cluster (MSCS) nodes to a set of virtual machines:
Warning: This is only supported on VMware Server and VMware ESX. Unexpected results may occur if attempted within another VMware product.
Note: Before following this procedure, consult VMware documentation on setting up Microsoft Clustering Services within a virtual machine.
- VMware Server: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/server_admin_manual.pdf (Page 167)
- VMware ESX: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_301_201_mscs.pdf
- Use VMware Converter to convert the operating system drive of each node and the operating system partition of each drive.
- If your data or quorum drive is already on a SAN LUN, map it as a physical disk in VMware Server, or a RDM in VMware ESX.
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If your data or quorum drive is not on a SAN LUN:
- Create virtual disks for the data and quorum drives manually as per the instructions in the documentation for your VMware product.
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Clone the data to the new virtual disks. Clone the data using a method that copies all files and directories and preserves all permissions. Some methods for cloning the data are:
Robocopy http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc160891.aspx ViceVersa http://www.tgrmn.com/ Ghost http://www.symantec.com/business/products/overview.jsp?pcid=2247&pvid=865_1 Acronis http://www.acronis.com/ DoubleTake http://www.doubletake.com/ NetBackup http://www.symantec.com/business/products/overview.jsp?pcid=2244&pvid=2_1
Note: VMware does not endorse or recommend any particular third party utility, nor is the list above meant to be exhaustive.
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Based on VMware KB 1002661
