V2V migrating AD server (infra op master role)

[zaccaz]

hi there, all AD servers are w2k3sp2, some physical & only 1 virtual server - it's AD server with infrastructure operations master role.

now i want to v2v migrate this virtual server to newer version, my planning as below:
1. power off existing virtual AD server
2. copy vm files to temp location
3. power on virtual AD server after finish file copy
4. from temp location, convert vm files into new version
5. power off existing vm, power on converted new vm

as step 1-3 most likely finish on day 1, & step 4-5 most likely finish on day 2, will there be any conflict/issue in AD when doing step 5? (as existing vm already go to day 2, but the converted new vm still with day 1 info)

or the latest AD info will automatically flush into the converted new virtual AD server?

many thx!

 

[Roadki11]

What hypervisor are you using? What version of that hypervisor is the DC running on now, what version are you moving it to? Are you upgrading the host or are we talking about 2 different hosts running 2 different version of the hypervisor or are talking about 2 different hypervisors? More detail please. Last time I did this it took about an hour not 2 days, but I am not totally sure what you are doing yet.

RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen

 

[zaccaz]

hi roadki11, this is refer to moving vm from vm1.x to esxi4.1 on different host.

my worry is about AD, not about vm migration.

as the subject of the migration is AD server with infrastructure operations master role, while shutdown the server at "time 1" for conversion, after finish the rest of the AD server already with "time 2", i'm not sure if AD is that smart enough to flush "time 2" info into the converted vm once it's up & running?

many thx!

 

[Roadki11]

Use VMWare Converter and get the job done in an hour or less. Or you could transfer the roles that server holds, demote it and just have 1 less server. Seems like you have plenty of AD servers. Again not enough info to give you a good solution.

RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen