Virtualization and Win Server 2008 1

[tonykeller]

Hi,

First posting on this site. Interested in Windows Server 2008 as I can't see spending money on old software (ie. Server 03) if 08 is available.

My concern is being able to get 32 bit apps up and running and having the future covered as far as 64 bit apps go.

I've heard Windows Server 2008 has 32 bit compatibility mode. Can anyone comment on how effective it is? Is 64 bit worth the switch yet, or should I stay with 2003 for a while longer?

Thanks,
Tony

 

[technome]

The 32 bit mode compatibility mode works reasonably, but many software developers are not going to apply effort to get there software to run in this mode; far more profitable to follow the "forced upgrade" path. So far, approx 90% of the 32 bit software I need to run will work (with some tweaking at times); so far the painful part for me is an upgrade for BackupExec and an AV upgrade.
My choice of going 64 bit, at one client, is the increased memory support.. and I would rather get the pain over now then deal with it in the future. At most of my clients I have 32 bit servers which will remain in place, so if something does not run, and without a compelling reason, I can leave the apps on older servers.
Driving forces.. newest hardware is 64 bit, TS gateway, new caching ability of 2008, faster TS sessions, possible Hyper-v use, TCP/IP stack changes, 2008 should be more stabil then the previous OSs, last but not least all the new toys.
As far as upgrading from Windows 2003 to 2008, unless you really need some of the options of 2008 I would stick with 2003 until you upgrade your hardware.


........................................
Chernobyl disaster..a must see pictorial

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/default.htm

 

[pagy]

FYI as well;

1 Windows 2008 Standard license provides license for 1 physical box and for 1 virtual instance on that box, Enterprise edition provides for 4 virtual instances.
You can use your downgrade rights to run nt4, 2000 or 2003 in one of those virtual instances.

So you could get 64 bit and run your 32bit 2003 on one of the virtual instances.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/licensing-faq.aspx#virt

Paul
MCSE 2003


If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?
Scott Adams

 

[technome]

Paul...
Thanks for the added info


........................................
Chernobyl disaster..a must see pictorial

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/default.htm

 

[pagy]

No problem.

Here is a link to the downgrade rights for Windows 2008, I did wonder (after I posted the above) if 64 bit to 32 bit counted as a downgrade but it makes no mention of 64 bit or 32 bit on this chart;

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/downgrade-rights.aspx

Paul
MCSE 2003


If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?
Scott Adams

 

[technome]

Sure would be nice if MS simplified (clarified) licensing and other info like this...guess with simplicity there would be layoffs.


........................................
Chernobyl disaster..a must see pictorial

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/default.htm

 

[shmoes]

I too was in the position of buying a new server about a month before the release of windows 2008, we decided to wait and opted to go with the latest and greatest instead of a operating system that's already 5 years old.

all the 32bit apps automaticly install in a folder called C:\program files (x86)

so far they all seem to work seemlessly with exception to sophos antivirus's auto update (though they are working dilligently on the problem) the program works, just not the autoupdaters. Also one printer I have does not work but i've been told that it needs a firmware update to work with the 64bit drivers. (3 out of 4 ain't bad lol)

I have not changed any major settings other then adding some standard roles and I have yet to setup the hyper-v, though i'm of the belief that when I do i'm going to get a message saying it's not available because hyper-v wasn't supposed to ship with the original release even though it's part of the sold package.

That being said, I don't really have any major problems so far other then not being familiar with where things are.


~Shmoes

 

[kmcferrin]

Some random thoughts...

There isn't a 32-bit compatibility mode, per se, but a compatibility subsystem called WOW64. This is modeled after the old WOW subsystem that was created in 32-bit Windows to allow the execution of 16-bit code, except that this one runs in 64-bit Windows to allow 32-bit code. The overwhelming majority of 32-bit programs that I have tried to run work fine in WOW64. There are a few exceptions. Just like with Windows XP/Vista x64 editions, applications with 16-bit installers or other 16-bit code will not run at all. Device drivers must also be 64-bit in order to work on 64-bit Windows 2008. Some applications that install device drivers (CD writers, some antivirus, etc) will need to have a 64-bit version in order to work on 64-bit Windows of any variety.

Also, keep in mind that there is a 32-bit version of Windows 2008, though you can only run Hyper-V on the 64-bit editions (what's the point of running VMs on a physical server that's limited to only 4GB of RAM?).

You are probably just as likely (if not more likely) to have problems finding applications that are Windows 2008 compatible as you are to find applications that aren't 64-bit/WOW64 compatible. Before deciding which way to go, make sure that your software is supported, ESPECIALLY backup, antivirus, management, etc. I had a meeting with a backup solution provider yesterday who indicated that their Windows 2008 client would not be available until September, which pretty much rules out us using Server 2008 in production for the next few months.

Just remember, the choice isn't between 32-bit 2003 and 64-bit 2008. The choice is between 32-bit 2003, 64-bit 2003, 32-bit 2008, and 64-bit 2008.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCSE:Security 2003
MCTS:Active Directory
MCTS:Network Infrastructure
MCTS:Applications Infrastructure

 

[technome]

Just curious, which backup Provider ?
Thanks


........................................
Chernobyl disaster..a must see pictorial

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/default.htm

 

[kmcferrin]

This was for EMC's Avamar backup product.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCSE:Security 2003
MCTS:Active Directory
MCTS:Network Infrastructure
MCTS:Applications Infrastructure