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Windows Server 2012: Real Success with Virtual Servers [51:36]

Join Bill Hersh and Larry Henry in the D&H Solutions Lab for an entry-level walkthrough of the Windows® Server 2012 Hyper-V® virtualization. Windows® Server 2012 Hyper-V® will quickly become one of your first go-to tools, once you've seen the value it offers and how easy it is to implement.

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Webcast Q&A

Recommended HDD configuration? House OS on separate drives?
We recommend that you set up the host OS on a mirrored set of drives, then create a RAID 5 or RAID 6 (preferred) array on separate drives to house all of your virtual machines.

What is Dynamic Memory and what does enabling it do?
Dynamic Memory is a feature that allows you to allocate an amount of memory to a virtual server, while allowing the virtual server to decide how much memory it needs at any given time. This means that the server will use only what it needs, instead of having a set amount of memory that it is not using. DM allows you to put more VMs on a system while maximizing the use of the host resources.

Will these sessions be recorded for reviewing again?
This session will be on demand at www.dandh.com/solutionslab

Does Server 2012 run as a guest on a 2008 R2 host OS?
Yes

The host should be on a separate NIC and NOT in domain correct?
Correct

Would a NAS product be recommended for hosting VMs?
For storing VMs, yes. For running them remotely, that depends on the connectivity between the NAS and the physical host, as well as between the NAS and the Internet. If both connections are robust, running the VMs on the NAS, leveraging the host server for computing power, is acceptable.

Can you give some more applications for virtual switches? When would you only want a virtual server connected to the LAN (and not the Internet) for example?
You would use an internal-facing virtual network in the same manner that you would use an internal-facing physical network: for security. In a physical environment, you don't give every access to the Internet, and you wouldn't want to do that with a virtual network, either.

Do all the D&H servers out today fully support Server 2012 or are we waiting for BIOS updates or firmware updates?
All Intel® servers and boards support Windows® Server 2012. Some HP and Lenovo servers support Windows® Server 2012, but not all. Please contact HPServer@dandh.com and LenovoServer@dandh.com for info on specific models.

Can you give us an overview of the differences in features between Hyper-V® 2012 and Hyper-V® 2008?
Please see the Feature Comparison document available for download on this page.

On the datacenter, can you have as many hosts and guests on one license?
You can have one host and as many guests as the physical server will handle. You are licensed for one physical host installation and an unlimited number of Windows® Server guests (NT, 2000, 2003, 2003 R2, 2008, 2008 R2, 2012)

Are there license restrictions on what the Host can do other than the Host role?
Yes; when the physical server is running the Hyper-V® role, you may not run any other roles on that server.

Is the time synching issue in 2008 fixed in 2012? What is the best way to ensure the time staying in sync on all servers?
The time sync issue is a side effect of some aspects of virtualization. We recommend that all VMs be configured to use the host machine as their time source, and configure the host machine to have a regular on-going connection with a time server.

What are the key differences that separate Hyper-V® from VMware®?
Primarily, capacity and capability make up the differences between Hyper-V® 2012 and VMware® 5.1. Please see the Why Hyper-V® document available for download from this page.

Does the OEM 2012 Standard include virtual instance rights on the same? How many installs do you have with the same license key on the same server hardware?
Yes it does, you use the same key for all three installs

Can you do server failover clusters with the VMs?
Yes, you can; details can be found at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831579.aspx

How does performance of Hyper-V® in 2012 compare to Hyper-V® in 2008 R2?
We have no basis for comparison on similar hardware.

Is it recommended that AD master, DHCP, etc. are left on the host machine and virtual machines are used for applications, ie...exchange, line of business app, etc?
No, Windows® Server licensing requires that any Hyper-V® host be used strictly as a host, with no other server roles in use.

Does Intel® offer a complete server system? Preferably a 1U Intel® enclosure, Intel® system board with NICs, Xeon® processor with graphics, Intel® SSD, etc. If not, why not?
Intel offers server platforms, which include the chassis with board and drive backplanes installed and cabled. The system still requires that the CPU(s), memory, add-in cards, and drives be installed by the VAR.

Do the two virtual licenses count when you have a host of an OS other than 2012?
The virtual licenses apply, no matter which host hypervisor you use. Obviously, we recommend Hyper-V® for performance and price reasons.

Does Hyper-V® 2012 support external hardware such as USB hard drives, serial ports, USB scanners, from within the guest o/s?
Windows® Server 2012 Hyper-V® does not support native USB support. There are workarounds, but we currently recommend that you avoid the need to use a USB device with any VM inside of a Windows® Server Hyper-V® environment.

What is the recommend hardware, when running 3 or more VM's?
This is an open-ended question, with no clear answer. In general, we recommend using whatever robust server solution that you currently sell, and adding memory to that equaling the amount of memory that you would assign to a physical server + 15% for VM overhead.

if you are running 2000 Server as a guest, that counts as one of your 2 virtual licenses?
Yes, it does

Still confused about the licensing, can I have two 2012 VM's but also create VM's that run other OS's without buying extra licenses (assuming I have one license for the iron w/two VM's).
You are required to have appropriate licenses for any/all software that is installed on any VM, whether that is Microsoft software or some other vendors.

Is the Host OS REQUIRED to only run Hyper-V®, or is it just a best practice?
Required by Windows® Server license.

Can I use Hyper-V® with all Server 2012 OS( like Foundation, Standard, Ent.)? What is the difference between them?
Of the four editions of Windows® Server 2012, you can use Hyper-V® on two of them. Windows® Server 2012 Foundation and Windows® Server 2012 Essentials do NOT support Hyper-V®; Windows® Server 2012 Standard and Windows® Server 2012 Datacenter do. For comparisons between editions, please see the Licensing Data Sheet available for download from this page.

What is the best practice for backing up a Hyper-V® host machine, for quick restorations of virtual machines?
For the host, we recommend that you use whatever BDR solution you are currently using for physical servers. For VMs, we recommend that you make regular snapshots of running VMs and store them somewhere not on the host.

Is it a good idea to run primary domain controller (PDC) in a VM? Domain logon not available until AD running. Or is this why host OS should be in WORKGROUP mode?
There is no role that should not be in a VM. Remember, VMs are doing the exact same thing that a physical server is doing.

Can taking a snapshot be automated?
Yes, it can be, using Power Shell.

Can I take a VM currently running on Server 2008 R2 and move it over to Server 2012?
Yes, although you cannot move it while it is running.

Is it wise to store DATA inside of a virtual machine?
No better or worse than storing data on a physical machine.

How difficult is the process of converting VM to Physical and vice-versa?
The process of converting from physical to virtual is fairly easy. Microsoft has a free tool, Disk2vhd, that will convert from a physical disk to a .vhd file (virtual hard drive). Then, you use Hyper-V® Manager in Windows® Server 2012 to change the .vhd to a .vhdx file. The .vhdx file is readable by Windows® Server 2012.

Does Windows® Server 2012 include a Backup (similar to 2008 R2) feature that includes VHD and VHD system state?
Yes

I would be interested in pricing for the backup to Azure service you talked about.
Windows® Azure® Online Backup is available as a preview to Windows® Server 2012, Windows® Server 2012 Essentials, and System Center 2012 customers. Pricing is can be calculated at http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/pricing/calculator/?scenario=virtual-machines

I'm still not clear on virtual licensing, can you clear that up for me?
2012: Physical license: 1; virtual license: 2. If you want more than 2, purchase another server license, you'll be covered for two more VMs.

What OS's can I use as a virtual machine?
Any: Windows® Server, Windows® desktop, Linux, Novell, Mac OS

Can I modify virtual machines after I create them, or do I delete them and start over?
You can do either. You can add/change/delete storage, networking, drives, etc. Many times, it's easier to simply delete a VM and create a new one.

What customers are best suited for virtualization?
Any, really. Customers with an existing workload that need new hardware, but can't upgrade the software for whatever reason get a lot of value from virtualization, as do customers on a limited budget

How many virtual machines can a server run?
That depends on the server. An average two-processor server today will easily handle 4-5 VMs; with upgraded memory, that can get into the 10-15 VMs quickly.

Still Have Questions?

Feel free to contact the Solutions Lab team at: solutionslab@dandh.com or contact Solutions Lab team members individually at their contact information below: