ghost windows server 2008 to a newer machine?

[SkipRizzel]

Hi i would like to know. can you ghost windows server 2008 to a newer machine or will there be driver issues?

 

[Elimentals]

You can, there will be some driver issues. One way to prevent some is to install the drivers before you ghost.

Now might also be a good time to look at VMWare esx. Install on the new server install converter on the old one and image the server onto the new one. Well it depends on what the server is doing and the environment it is used in, but it really is something I would look at if it was one if mine.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

I'd rather do a clean install.

 

[Arthur]

Yes, the most widely used tool in the corporate world is Acronis Backup & Recovery 11 Server with Universal Restore. Local disti is www.synapsys.co.za.

Universal Restore (an add-in to ABR11) slipstreams in the correct HAL-level drivers so your system boots up and runs properly on the new hardware. I have used this many times to migrate Windows systems to dissimilar hardware. Also, excellent for physical-to-virtual (P2V) migrations, or V2V (eg VMware to Hyper-V), or even V2P.

 

[hungrybeaver]

You can, there will be some driver issues. One way to prevent some is to install the drivers before you ghost.

Now might also be a good time to look at VMWare esx. Install on the new server install converter on the old one and image the server onto the new one. Well it depends on what the server is doing and the environment it is used in, but it really is something I would look at if it was one if mine.

VMware ESX is definitely worth a look.

I'd rather do a clean install.

Same. If the hardware is different from your current machine then it really isn't worth ghosting. I'd also suggest a clean install. This is a server and although you may not find issues immediately, down the line it can cause a lot of headaches.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

As others said, VMWare ESX (or a virtual server) is an excellent idea as you can then move the virtual server over to other servers/hardware without experiencing major ballaches.

Already I have taken this strategy with a new server we've set up for one of our sites - but I'm using Virtualbox on Ubuntu though.

Principle is still the same - one big mongo server running three or more virtual servers - cut down on server room clutter, noise etc.

HOWEVER - the weakest link is the server itself, if it goes down, it'll take all your servers down as well

 

[Elimentals]

As others said, VMWare ESX (or a virtual server) is an excellent idea as you can then move the virtual server over to other servers/hardware without experiencing major ballaches.

Already I have taken this strategy with a new server we've set up for one of our sites - but I'm using Virtualbox on Ubuntu though.

Principle is still the same - one big mongo server running three or more virtual servers - cut down on server room clutter, noise etc.

HOWEVER - the weakest link is the server itself, if it goes down, it'll take all your servers down as well

But when servers are virtual you have 2 things that counter that single point of falure.

1. back-ups are much simpler to restore, esp if you mirror the images to a back-up server.
2. when hardware failure hits, you simply start the mirror image and have minimal downtime.

Also upgrading is a hell of a lot easier in the future.... buy new server, copy image, start up, done.

 

[Sentric]

Try Symantec System Recovery 2010, works pretty well, you can image the drive and then when restoring check the box that says ," different hardware" and youre set. You will obviously probably going to need to provide cd keys again.
Hope you come right

 

[unskinnybob]

VMWare P2V Convertor is free, as is ESXi and VMWare server. I'd go virtual.