Nutanix AHV: Deploy Windows Server 2008 VM

To Install / deploy / create / migrate / import / move windows server 2008 SP1 / SP2 to Nutanix AHV hypervisor is possible, Nutanix AHV supports Windows Server 2008 SP1 / SP2 with 32 bit / 64 bit is supported from AOS version 5.5 and later. Windows Server 2008 Virtio Driver is available to download from Redhat Virtio Driver repository.

Let explore the way to install / deploy / create / migrate / import / move the Windows Server 2008 to Nutanix AHV ( Acropolis Hypervisor ).

Read also: Top 5 Microsoft Unknown Services Possibly You Don’t Know

Windows Server 2008 Fresh Installation

To Install / Deploy / Create Windows Server 2008 SP1 / SP2 with 32 bit / 64 bit VM on Nutanix AHV hypervisor to follow give steps:

Step 1 : Upload the Windows Server 2008 SP1 / SP2 with 32 bit / 64 bit ISO image to Nutanix Image Services

Step 2: Download Windows Server 2008 Compatible Virtio Driver from here: Download Windows Server 2008 Virtio Driver

Note: Download the stable Virtio version only – Recommended

Step 3: Create Windows Server 2008 VM from Nutanix Prism

Go to VM > Table >Click on Create VM

• Create new VM.
• Ensure there are two CDROM drives on the VM.

• Select the Operation “Select from image service” to add the uploaded Microsoft Windows Server 2008 installation ISO to the CDROM drive 1.
• Select the Operation “Select from image service” to add the uploaded VirtIO ISO to the CDROM drive 2.

• Add a new disk to the VM.
  • Choose Bus Type “SCSI“.
  • Select the Operation “Allocate on Storage Container“.
• Click the “Save” button.

• Select vNetwork
• Hit Save

Step 4: Power on the Windows Server 2008 VM

Step 5: Windows Server 2008 Installation wizard will be begun

Step 6: When Installation reach to Disk portioning – Disk will not visible, Now you need to install the Virtio driver.

You need to load the VirtIO drivers during the OS installation to see the disk.

Step 7: Click on Browse Option > Choose Virtio CDROM.

Step 8: Browse and select “vioscsi\2k8\amd64\vioscsi” driver for 64 bit OS OR “vioscsi\2k8\x86\vioscsi” driver for 32 bit OS.

Step 9: Now proceed the Windows Server 2008 OS installation process..

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Migrate Windows Server 2008 to AHV

To migrate / move / import the Windows server 2008 SP1 / SP2 to Nutanix AHV, need to follow below steps:

Step 1: Install the Virtio in Windows Server 2008 before migration / import to Nutanix AHV

Download Virtio Driver for Windows Server 2008

Note: Install Virtio Driver in Windows Server 2008 : Browse and select
“vioscsi\2k8\amd64\vioscsi” driver for 64 bit OS !
OR “vioscsi\2k8\x86\vioscsi” driver for 32 bit OS !

Note: This is the most critical driver to install otherwise VM will not boot on Nutanix AHV because it will not be able to access data on SCSI disk.

Step 2: Migrate the Windows Server 2008 to Nutanix AHV.
Just visit my Steps – Cross Hypervisor Migration To Nutanix AHV

Step 3: Re-create VM from migrated ‘Windows Server 2008’ on Nutanix AHV

Step 4: Power-on the Windows Server 2008 on Nutanix AHV ! Enjoy

Optional : If you face any Windows Kernel dump issue visit Nutanix AHV: Windows VM Kernel Memory dump to get the error.

Read also: Microsoft Integrating Linux Kernel Inside Windows 10

Conclusion

Finally, Nutanix AHV now supports the Windows Server 2008 SP1 / SP2 in legacy mode without any issue. if you have any query regarding it, you can share with us through comment.

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