Crystal Reports Server XI R1 - Install on Virtual Server?

[tubbers]

Is it possible to install Crystal Reports Server XI R1 on a virtual server, most likely MS Virtual Server 2005?

We currently have CRS XI R1 installed on a Windows 2000 box but need to upgrade the server software due to an incompatability with newer printer drivers. Going to a virtual server is one of the options but I can't seem to find any information on whether it is a best solution?

Any advice?

 

[MJRBIM]

We have installed DEV and TEST environments on VM-Ware servers.

It's not something I would do on a PRODUCTION environment.

Also, I don't think Business Objects considers it a supportable install - so any time you call tech support, their first advice will be to install on a stand-alone server...

 

[tubbers]

Other than BO not supporting the installation, why wouldn't you recommend using VM for a Production environment?

This is the option that my company is leaning towards and if it is not reliable and/or there are known issues with running CRS XI virtually, I would greatly appreciate your comments.

Thanks.

 

[MJRBIM]

Peformance is slower because you are sharing the processor resources on VM-Ware.

In some cases, we have large reports (with lots of sub-reports) that can only run on PROD because our VM-Ware seesions are not powerful enough.

 

[hilfy]

Also, if your processing large reports, it's both processor AND disk intensive (have you looked at all the temp files Crystal generates when running reports?). That is NOT a good mix for VMWare unless the server(s) that host the virtual sessions are really souped-up, mega machines.

-Dell
(Who is trying to convince our DNS team that we DON'T want to move our production report servers to VMWare!)

A computer only does what you actually told it to do - not what you thought you told it to do.