Cloning Servers in VMWare

[Rob]

I am wanting to create 5-6 virtual servers running Windows 2000. Is there
an easy way to set up and configure one and then clone it?

Thanks,

RP

[Phil Meyer]

If you are putting them into a domain then you'll also want to use SYSPREP
before cloning them.

Post by Rob
I am wanting to create 5-6 virtual servers running Windows 2000. Is there
an easy way to set up and configure one and then clone it?

Install the first in say ~/nt1
Copy the folder to ~/nt2
edit the .vmx file (change paths)

[E. Sjørlund]

Post by Rob
I am wanting to create 5-6 virtual servers running Windows 2000. Is there
an easy way to set up and configure one and then clone it?

Install the first in say ~/nt1
Copy the folder to ~/nt2
edit the .vmx file (change paths)

[Chris Grant]

If you want these copies to be able to access the network at the same
time, you will then need to run something like NewSID
(http://www.sysinternals.com) so that each virtual machine will have its
own unique SID.

Hope this helps
Chris

[Dennis Lindqvist]

Don't use NewSID if you are dealing with certificates in Win2k+. They will
break.
Go for SYSPREP instead.

/Dennis

Post by Chris Grant
If you want these copies to be able to access the network at the same
time, you will then need to run something like NewSID
(http://www.sysinternals.com) so that each virtual machine will have its
own unique SID.
Hope this helps
Chris

[Anthony Gangemi]

I have a similar query.

I normally use Ghost or Powerquest to take snapshot images of an
installation at a particular level. For example, a new default install of
Windows 2003 with no DC promotion or security patches applied. I can easily
revert back to this image without having to repeat the installation process
from my install CD or ISO image.

Now with WMware, do I need to use Ghost or PowerQuest to do the same or can
I simply use WinRAR to take a backup copy of the Virtual Machine Folder? Can
I then reinstate that backup copy to the original folder location
(overwriting current files) thus returning to that particular installation
level?

" ...\My Virtual Machine\Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition " is the
location of my Virtual Machine.

Cheers,

Tony

Post by Rob
I am wanting to create 5-6 virtual servers running Windows 2000. Is there
an easy way to set up and configure one and then clone it?

Install the first in say ~/nt1
Copy the folder to ~/nt2
edit the .vmx file (change paths)

[Kunle Odutola]

Post by Anthony Gangemi
I have a similar query.
I normally use Ghost or Powerquest to take snapshot images of an
installation at a particular level. For example, a new default install of
Windows 2003 with no DC promotion or security patches applied. I can easily
revert back to this image without having to repeat the installation process
from my install CD or ISO image.
Now with WMware, do I need to use Ghost or PowerQuest to do the same or can
I simply use WinRAR to take a backup copy of the Virtual Machine Folder? Can
I then reinstate that backup copy to the original folder location
(overwriting current files) thus returning to that particular installation
level?

You can do both. I recommend the latter for speed. You can also use the
WinRAR method to make a "template" that you copy to other directories for
making identical new VMs readily (you might need to edit paths in the .vmx).
You just need to change the new server's identity (vmWare GUID and Windows
name/ip etc).

Post by Anthony Gangemi
" ...\My Virtual Machine\Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition " is the
location of my Virtual Machine.
Cheers,

[Erik Bussink]

Post by Rob
I am wanting to create 5-6 virtual servers running Windows 2000. Is there
an easy way to set up and configure one and then clone it?

Create one good Windows 2000 template (called a Gold Master at VMware)
with all the drivers, tools and utilities (winzip,acrobat,newsid) and
patches (sp4, WindowsUpdate), but do not include it in a domain.
Then you simply copy your Gold Master to another directory, start that
system, newsid it, and then only insert it into your target domain.

I always keep an updated copy my Gold Master around, so I can get
a new server up and running in just the timeframe of copying one
directory to another.

Erik