How about upgrading to Windows Server 2008 R2 ??

It wasn't an option. GP 2010 and SharePoint 2010 VHDs are out and the pre-requisite was the R2. We were one those who installed the new Windows Server 2008 and thought it would run for the next few years. But at this point we needed an upgrade (as I said, it wasn't an option.)

So, I recently upgraded Hyper-V virtualization server from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2.

Without making it dramatical, let me get to it. It was easy with all the help from Microsoft KB articles. However, it needed patience as it was an effort - one step at a time.

We had Windows Server 2008 Standard SP1 - Full Installation, running Hyper-V version 6.0.6001.17101. (that's Hyper-V in Beta) and I had many saved state virtual machines.

The ideal upgrade path was:

1. Shut down all Virtual Machines (If you had snapshots you want to be more careful during the upgrade)
2. Upgrade Hyper-V engine from Beta to RTM (version 6.0.6001.18016)
3. Upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2
4. Re-configure every Virtual Machine. Make sure you have written the configuration of your virtual servers running on Hyper-V

Here are the links that supported me to have a smooth upgrade:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957256

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/962935

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950050

DNS Server unable to Open Active Directory

I was on a maintenance check couple of days back, when I noticed Windows Server 2008 Event Viewer had all red crosses.


When I tried to open the Active Directory, the below error popped up.

The Server is not operational

Bing'ing / Google'ing did not help much. I thought for a while, went for a restart and everything seemed happy.

Administrative Access to Hyper-V to a Domain User

If you want to know how to give access to a Domain user to manage Hyper-V and it's virtual servers, you would not prefer navigating elsewhere.

Here's how you do it.

• Start > Run > azman.msc (This is an Authorization Manager)
  
  


• Right click Authorization Manager > Click on Open Authorization Store...



• Click on Browse and navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Hyper-V and select InitialStore.xml file
  
  
• Select XML file option from "Select the Authorization Store Type" and click OK
• Expand the tree Hyper-V services > Role Assignments > Administrator
• Now on the right hand side right click the empty area and select "Assign Users and Groups > From Windows and Active Directory
• Select a Domain User account and click OK
• Close Authorization Manager and inform the Domain User that he has new rights.

Shutting down the Virtual Machine failed

You might have hit this error while shutting down the Virtual Machine when using Hyper-V.


Refer this post "How to install the Integration Services on Hyper-V"

How to install Integration Services on Hyper-V

The Integration Services are software packages that improve integration between the virtualization server and the virtual machine. The good example is that the NIC may not work after create the Virtual Machine until you install the Integration Services. Another example is he mouse can't move outside of the virtual machine window except you press Ctrl+Alt_Left Arrow keys.

To install the Integration Services, from the Action menu of Virtual Machine Connection, click Insert Integration Services Setup Disk. If Autorun does not start the installation automatically, you can start it manually navigating to the CD drive. Right-click on it, select AutoPlay.

            

Or perform this action from within the guest operating system. Right click Integration Services > Autoplay as shown below :