Permanently migrate Server 2012 R2 to different host

nutcase · 6 Jan 2015 at 21:40

I have two servers, both with server 2012 R2 standard (open licence). Both are running two VMs as the licence allows. I want to use one of the servers for something else and move the two VMs onto the other server.

Last time I tried something similar, the activation got thrown out and it took forever to get it back together. Can someone explain the "correct" way to do it?

Thanks

katana6434 · 7 Jan 2015 at 14:49

If you copy the two VMs across and run them on the other server you will be breaking the license agreement. On a standard license you are only allowed to run two VOSE's.

nutcase · 7 Jan 2015 at 19:01

I don't want to copy them, I want to move them.

somewhatdamaged · 9 Jan 2015 at 23:04

Export the machines using Hyper V and reimport on your new server

The virtual machines won't need reactivating as Hyper V won't see them as anything different

Unless i'm reading your post wrong though, won't you end up with one server with 4 x VMs on it, when you can only run 2?

Caged · 10 Jan 2015 at 00:00

He has two Server 2012 R2 licenses, so he can run four VMs.

Ploppy2k3 · 10 Jan 2015 at 13:26

the licensing for 2012R2 allows 2 VM's without additional licensing. If you are running 4 VM's on 1 server then 2 VM's require licensing.

Additionally the 2 "free" VM's are only available for use if the host 2012R2 has no additional roles installed.

nutcase · 10 Jan 2015 at 19:41

somewhatdamaged said:
Export the machines using Hyper V and reimport on your new server

The virtual machines won't need reactivating as Hyper V won't see them as anything different

Unless i'm reading your post wrong though, won't you end up with one server with 4 x VMs on it, when you can only run 2?

This is what I tried last time - and after a few days the activation was lost

Yes I have 2 licences.