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Installing Windows Server Virtualization on Server 2008 RC0

So you've downloaded Server 2008 RC0 but you can't seem to find how to enable Windows Server Virtualization. You're not alone.

As a set of beta code buried in another set of beta code, the installation routine for MIcrosoft's virtualization solution isn't initially baked into Server Manager like other Roles and Features within the O/S. In order to install WSV (at least in RC0) you'll need to do the following:

This installation rourine arrives from the WSV Customer Technology Preview Setup Guide:

1. Install a Full Installation of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 Edition. WSV is also included with Windows Server 2008 Standard and Datacenter Editions; however, the majority of our testing has been on Enterprise Edition at this time so we recommend using the Enterprise Edition. Currently, WSV doesn’t work with Server Core installation, but will work with Server Core in a future release.
2. Go to the following folder on the disk: ~:\Windows\wsv. You will see two .MSU files: Windows6.0-KB939853-x64 and Windows6.0-KB939854-x64.
3. Double click on Windows6.0-KB939853-x64.msu and proceed through the installation process.
4. Double click on Windows6.0-KB939854-x64.msu and proceed through the installation process.
5. Go to the Start menu and launch Server Manager.
6. Go to the Roles Summary and click Add Roles.
7. Proceed through the wizard and select to install Windows Server virtualization.
8. Complete the wizard and RESTART when prompted.
9. After the restart, installation will continue and complete.
10. When installation is complete, you can now go to: Start Menu-->Administration Tools and launch the Windows Virtualization Management MMC Console. From the MMC, you can now create virtual machines!

Also, there are a couple of gotcha's associated with this version (compliments of Virtual PC Guy):

1. This is a preview release.Which means that performance / compatibility / stability is nowhere near what it will be by the time we ship the final release. The real purpose of this release is to give you a preview - so don’t expect everything to work off the bat.
2. The following features are not present / supported in this release: Clustering of virtual machines, Clustering of the physical servers, Compacting of virtual hard disks, Backing up guest operating systems using volume snapshot (VSS)
3. Virtual machines are only supported if they configured as follows: For the guest operating system, install one of the following: The RC0 release of Windows Server 2008 with a maximum of 4 virtual processors. No other release of Windows Server 2008 is supported with this release of Windows Server virtualization. You can install either a 32-bit version or an x64-based version. The Windows Server 2003 operating system, with a maximum of 1 virtual processor. You can install either a 32-bit version or an x64-based version. Maximum of 64 GB memory. Maximum of one virtual SCSI controller per virtual machine. Maximum of one virtual network controller per virtual machine. Maximum of one legacy virtual network controller per virtual machine.

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Posted by Greg Shields on October 11, 2007 12:30 AM |

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Greg Shields' Bio:

Greg Shields, is an independent author, instructor, and IT consultant based in Denver, Colorado, and a co-founder of Concentrated Technology. With nearly 15 years of experience in information technology, Greg has developed extensive experience in systems administration, engineering, and architecture specializing in Microsoft systems management, remote application, and virtualization technologies. Greg is a Contributing Editor for Redmond Magazine, MCPmag.com, and Virtualization Review Magazine and is the author of five books, including Windows Server 2008:  What’s New / What’s Changed. Greg is also a highly sought-after instructor and speaker, speaking regularly at conferences like TechMentor Events, and producing computer-based training curriculum for CBT Nuggets.  Greg is a recipient of Microsoft "Most Valuable Professional" award with a specialization in Windows Terminal Services.