Virtual Server Migration Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions

VSMT is a key component in a Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 implementation. VSMT enables a physical computer to be migrated to a server within a virtual machine that is provided and managed by Virtual Server 2005.

To use VSMT, you need a Windows Server 2003, Automated Deployment Services (ADS) 1.0 controller running on Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, as well as Virtual Server 2005.

Yes, these can be installed and run from the same machine or separate machines, as long as the server is running Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition.

VSMT supports both versions of Virtual Server 2005.

No. VSMT requires Virtual Server 2005 and does not work with Virtual PC.

No, not at this time.

VSMT supports the migration of Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server with Service Pack (SP) 6a, Windows 2000 Server SP 4, and Windows Server 2003 systems.

Yes. With VSMT you can migrate any NTFS primary or extended partition.

Yes, VSMT supports migration of non-English language systems.

The answer depends on the size of data you are migrating, the speed of your network, and the speed of your disk drives. In general, VSMT can migrate about 7 gigabytes (GB) per hour.

No, each ADS Controller can migrate one machine at a time. However, separate VSMT installations and ADS Controllers can be used to achieve parallel migrations.

No, VSMT does not make any changes the machine you are migrating.

VSMT turns off your production server at the end of the migration process. If there are any issues with the virtual machine, you can turn it off, and then turn the physical production server back on again.

Yes, VSMT supports migrating other virtual machines into virtual machines running on Virtual Server 2005 by interacting with them in the same manner as physical machines.

Microsoft has several solutions for managing virtual machines running on Virtual Server 2005. VSMT is targeted for migrations from a physical server to virtual environment. Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 and Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 are two products from Microsoft that enable organizations to manage both the physical servers and virtual machines.

An upcoming MOM Virtual Server Management Pack supports comprehensive monitoring of the entire Windows operating environment, from physical server to virtual machine. With the Virtual Server Management Pack, organizations can see the complex host-to-guest mappings, a view that offers total visibility into their Windows operations environment. For more information, see the MOM Management Packs page.

SMS is designed for configuration and change management. The SMS SP1 release offers the ability to also build host-to-guest mappings.

VSMT includes tools that enable you to script your own solutions involving Virtual Server 2005.