Help with sysprep and cloning

ringo747

ringo747

ringo747

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I'd like to build up a number of 'base' images that will enable me to quickly provision new VMs in Hyper-V (Windows 8).

I have build a Windows 2008 machine and am about to run sysprep on it. Do I need to do any other steps or can I just simply copy the vhdx file and use it for creating new VMs?

After sysprep'ing this 2008 box can I keep using it or would I be better deleting it and creating a new VM from the sysprep'd vhdx?

Edit: can you sysprep a sysprep'd image? Say I build Server 2008, sysprep it then make multiple copies. On one of the copies I want to install SQL. Can I then sysprep again to make a SQL base build?
 
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I make copies of a sysprep'd windows 7 vhd file to create new workstations, haven't got round to trying a vhdx yet but I haven't read anything that says the same process won't work.

You can re-use your sysprep'd 2008 box, that's the whole point :)

If you are syspreping a machine that has already been sysprep'd look out for issues in the default user profile, it can seem to grow in size exponentially. Only do what's necessary in between syspreps.
 
What I meant by "can you sysprep a sysprep'd image?" was that say if I build a new VM using an image that was previously sysprep'd can I make changes and then sysprep the new machine? I'd imagine there is no issue with this.

I think the issue is by syspreping a machine, continue using, sysprep again. Is this correct?
 
No problem with Syspreping an already syspreped machine to create new images, just keep it clean and avoid using it for anything other than the neccasary
 
In answer to your question, each time you run the sysprep command with the /generalize switch, the licensing state of the Windows is reset, otherwise known as rearmed. Since your intention is to transfer a Windows image to different hardware, you will want to use the /generalize switch only once and then capture the image. You can then use that captured image within hyper-v and continue to restore it as the master image to each virtual machine. Because there is a limit of how many times the sysprep /generalize switch can be executed, you will want to refrain from running sysprep on the same image multiple times.

One way to get around resetting the activation period is to run sysprep with an answer file that has the SkipRearm setting enabled. You can review the number of times you can use the SkipRearm setting by running the Slmgr.vbs /dlv command in an elevated command prompt. More about how sysprep works can be found on the TechNet site.

Finally, I recommend watching the TechNet screencast Using Differencing Disk and Sysprep Image to Create Hyper-V Guest on Windows Server 2008 R2 to walk you through the process you’ll want to plan for. There is also a great deal of resources for various deployment, virtualization and management scenarios available from the Springboard Series on TechNet.

Hope this helps!

Jessica
Windows Outreach Team – IT Pro
 
Thanks - will try it and see how it goes.

Another unrelated issue building VMs... I have two nics, one for internet access from the host and another for an internal network which is setup to point to my DC. In order to join the new machine to the domain I need to disable the 'internet' nic connection. Why would this be? Is there some step I am missing?
 
ringo747 said:
Thanks - will try it and see how it goes.

Another unrelated issue building VMs... I have two nics, one for internet access from the host and another for an internal network which is setup to point to my DC. In order to join the new machine to the domain I need to disable the 'internet' nic connection. Why would this be? Is there some step I am missing?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, without knowing the configuration of your network, it is hard for me to suggest possible reasons and, subsequently, solutions to resolve your issue contacting the domain controller. It would be good practice to check your IP addresses for each nic, subnet masks and default gateways.

Hope this helps!

Jessica
Windows Outreach Team – IT Pro
 
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