how to create image of windows 2003 server

[jcrnjanski]

Hi,
I just installed Virtual Box 2.2.2. I was reading manual, but Icannot find how Ican create image of existing 2003 server and move it to virtual guest machine.
The only thing related in manual says:
Starting with version 2.2, VirtualBox can import and export virtual machines in the
industry-standard Open Virtualization Format (OVF).

Help is appreciated.
Joe C.

[Perryg]

It's call export appliance in the new 2.2.2.
Click on file in the VBox GUI.

[coolbiker]

While we are on the topic of this , is there any way to recommend that being a separate program so exporting doesn't stop to you from using Virtual Box during import/export?

[jcrnjanski]

Wow, that's called fast reply. Thanks.
I saw that option, but it's not very clear.
Just to make myself clear. I installed Virtual box on my future host machine, which is windows 2003 server. I created 'empty' new guest machine. I want to import another server into that guest machine and try to run it.
Do I have to install VirtualBox on my server that i want to image too and than run export appliance and than import to my host machine. You can see that I'm lost here. If you can point me to any documentation regarding this it would be very good.
Joe C.

[Perryg]

While we are on the topic of this , is there any way to recommend that being a separate program so exporting doesn't stop to you from using Virtual Box during import/export?

Not a good idea. Things have a way of getting corrupt when you do that. I prefer to wait and get a clean good export.

[Perryg]

Wow, that's called fast reply. Thanks.
I saw that option, but it's not very clear.
Just to make myself clear. I installed Virtual box on my future host machine, which is windows 2003 server. I created 'empty' new guest machine. I want to import another server into that guest machine and try to run it.
Do I have to install VirtualBox on my server that i want to image too and than run export appliance and than import to my host machine. You can see that I'm lost here. If you can point me to any documentation regarding this it would be very good.
Joe C.

Just need VBox installed on the PC that you want the import to go to. If you have VBox 2.2.2 you can just import it. Other than that you would need another virtualizer that can read OVF, of course some setup would be required in this approach.
Remember to write down your settings in VBox that you are exporting from just in case something does not get picked up properly and also so you will have the settings for other OVF programs.

[vbox4me2]

Wow, that's called fast reply. Thanks.
I saw that option, but it's not very clear.
Just to make myself clear. I installed Virtual box on my future host machine, which is windows 2003 server. I created 'empty' new guest machine. I want to import another server into that guest machine and try to run it.

See the FAQ and the QuickClick FAQ about migration, called generally p2v.

[jcrnjanski]

I think I don't understand you. You said I need VBox only on my host machine.
If I click on import appliance it asks me for ovf file. I don't have that. How I can create that OVF file. That is my question. How I can create image or ovf or whatever it is called of server that i want to import later on to vbox guest machine.

[jcrnjanski]

thanks vbox4me2. I found in quickclick posts regarding migration. That's what i ws looking for. I will read and post if needed.
Joe C.

[coolbiker]

Can I mention when I saw this I went ahead and tried to use the current export to make quick copies of boxes and on import it failed.Now this says it failed because theres a file id already exists . so does this mean I cant use this export import in the fashion I'd like to?

Import error.jpg (28.4 KiB) Viewed 5305 times

[Perryg]

You can not export it and then re-import it to the same machine with the original VM still there. Think of it like putting (2) primary drives in the same PC. Won't work. One of them must be a secondary (slave) drive. VBox is only trying to keep from crashing the entire system.

[coolbiker]

I don't want it in the same box I want to take box1's images and use it for box 3 and 4 to reduce startup time of installing 3 of the same operating system. You saw I need to make 7 servers for an assignment and each of them take time to setup and install.

[Perryg]

I don't want it in the same box I want to take box1's images and use it for box 3 and 4 to reduce startup time of installing 3 of the same operating system. You saw I need to make 7 servers for an assignment and each of them take time to setup and install.

Ok I thought from what you were saying you trying to import it to the same box. You can export this and then take it to a different box and you should be able to import it. Is this when you got the message indicated in you screen shot?

[coolbiker]

Not the same virtual box but the same pc. I did try to change the filename and the virtual boxes name on the import. Thats where i got the error.

[jcrnjanski]

Hi,
I was reading whole afternoon all available documentations regarding this issue. I was suprised that there is no clear answer to this type of request. There are suggestions from third party softwares, VMware etc... followed by many, many different issues.
I would appreciate if somebody can give me clear direction if creating image from existing windows server 2003 and importing that image into guest virtual machine is possible.
Joe C.