Hypervisor Virtualization Question

[Guy Pardoe]

I don't understand my options here...

When preparing a new machine to be a host of a few virtual machines, I
understand that I must first install Windows Server 2008, and then
install the Hypervisor service/role.

But backing up a bit... when I'm walking through the install for the
host Windows Server 2008, should this host OS grab all the disk space so
the the virtual machines (that will come later) get their disk space
from the host Windows Server 2008 system? Or should I leave empty
partitions on the raw disk and the virtual machines will have direct
access to the disks themselves?

Thanks,
Guy

[Edwin vMierlo [MVP]]

> I don't understand my options here...
>
> When preparing a new machine to be a host of a few virtual machines, I
> understand that I must first install Windows Server 2008, and then
> install the Hypervisor service/role.

correct

>
> But backing up a bit... when I'm walking through the install for the
> host Windows Server 2008, should this host OS grab all the disk space so
> the the virtual machines (that will come later) get their disk space
> from the host Windows Server 2008 system? Or should I leave empty
> partitions on the raw disk and the virtual machines will have direct
> access to the disks themselves?

That is up to you, both have advandtages

the advandtage of having .vhd files as virtual disks, is that they do not
occupy the full size of the virtual disk, only the size they are actually
using.
the advandtage of a passthru disk is obviously performance !

the choice is yours

rgds,
edwin.

>
> Thanks,
> Guy

[Guy Pardoe]

Great... Thanks Edwin.

It's nice to know it can be done either way.

Guy

[Guy Pardoe]

> That is up to you, both have advandtages
>
> the advandtage of having .vhd files as virtual disks, is that they do not
> occupy the full size of the virtual disk, only the size they are actually
> using.
> the advandtage of a passthru disk is obviously performance !
>
> the choice is yours
>
> rgds,
> edwin.
>

One other question... I have two servers... one I'm testing on, and one
I plan to put into production.

I have already been testing and had taken the whole disk for the host OS
so I was using .VHD files as disks. As I prepare the production
machine, can I migrate a virtual server built with .VHDs to a second
server with the intention of using reals disks instead of .VHDs?

Thanks,
Guy

[Edwin vMierlo [MVP]]

"Guy Pardoe" <g...@pardoeonline.com> wrote in message
news:ehoz5bYS...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

If your real disks are on a SAN, then yes, you just mask them away from your
test and mask the to your production
(you still need to export the machine as well)

Rgds,
Edwin.