SBS2011 & Guest Additions

[wyeknott]

I just installed Windows SBS 2011 in a guest vbox under Win 7 Pro and then I added Guest Additions. At first, it seemed to work but then the guest crashed and wouldn't boot normally. Finally, I was able to get in and uninstall Guest Additions and the Guest began to work properly -- at least, it seems to.

Has anyone else seen this kind of thing or is SBS 2011 just too new?

Thanks,

[Sasquatch]

SBS 2011? Did MS release that already as final? I only see blogs and other sites about what it is and a release date of H1 2011. All I wonder is which kernel version and build does it use? From what I've read, it's nothing more than 2008 R2 with some updated software like Exchange 2010 in it.

So, can you give some more info about the OS itself, for those who don't have it?

[wyeknott]

SBS 2011? Did MS release that already as final? I only see blogs and other sites about what it is and a release date of H1 2011. All I wonder is which kernel version and build does it use? From what I've read, it's nothing more than 2008 R2 with some updated software like Exchange 2010 in it.

So, can you give some more info about the OS itself, for those who don't have it?

http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/default.aspx is where I downloaded it from. (~6.5GB) It burns to a DL DVD or you can simply use the .ISO to install within VBox. It's being offered to all comers apparently as a 120-day trial. I don't have the platform running at the moment but I'll get back with more info shortly.

But, IMHO, it's a natural to use VBox for things like this. I don't have a platform to dedicate to this kind of thing but I do have a quite fast and capable PC (recently built) that installed SBS in a VM in about 1 hour. (I guess it depends on where you punch the stop-watch though).

[Sasquatch]

I do wonder why you're focussed on administrating a server through it's console. That's the same as spending your day at work in the noisy server room to finalise the settings of the server (getting AD set up, configure GPO, etc). You do such things remotely, through RDP. I think it's best to use that too with your VM. Then you're no longer bound by the Guest Additions, low resolution and broken mouse integration.

[wyeknott]

I do wonder why you're focussed on administrating a server through it's console. That's the same as spending your day at work in the noisy server room to finalise the settings of the server (getting AD set up, configure GPO, etc). You do such things remotely, through RDP. I think it's best to use that too with your VM. Then you're no longer bound by the Guest Additions, low resolution and broken mouse integration.

Well, if this was a remote location, I probably would use RDP but since it's not, I don't. All my experience to date is with SBS 2003 and there are things one simply doesn't do to such a server using RDP -- if he wants to avoid emergency road trips.

To answer your previous questions, I don't know what build it is but I infer it's the RTM build since it can be converted to a paid license any time during the trial period. If I knew where to find the build information, I'd surely post it. With this version, Microsoft is clearly up to its old dodge of hiding any really useful information and settings from the administrator. I was unable to create a GodMode folder (they've disabled "Paste" for folder names). Altogether tyrannical IMHO.

I was just wondering what it was about Guest Additions that was "breaking" the VM. It's true that VBox 4.0.0 r69151 doesn't have a specific guest setting for SBS2011 (or Win Server 2011) so I was forced to use the 2008 setting at VM creation time. Guest Additions seemed to think it was a Win 7 guest during install although that was a fleeting impression I got.

My platform is based on AMD Phenom X6 1075T, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 2x1 TB HDDs, Gigabyte 870A-UD3 mobo. Host OS is Windows 7 Professional (64-bit). Having to use the "Host" key all the time is a major PITA but so far that seems to be necessary with this Guest.

BTW, the availability of SBS 2011 as a "preview" was announced in InfoWorld yesterday, 4 Feb 2011 but I understand it can be converted to a paid license using only a Product Key. That doesn't sound like BETA to me but what do I know?

Wye

[Sasquatch]

If it's just the mouse, enable Absolute pointing device in the VM settings. You can get the exact version by starting a command prompt or just simply check 'winver' (from start > run, or start menu).

[wyeknott]

What you just heard was the sound of an open palm slapping my forehead.
Here's the stuff from WinVer:

Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011
Standard

Microsoft Windows® Small Business Server
Version 6.1 (Build 7600)

Wye

[Sasquatch]

That's the same version as Windows 7 (and should be the same as 2008 R2). There is no reason why the Guest Additions don't work, unless MS screwed something up again in this new version, which is quite likely.

[BillG]

The current release of SBS 2011 Essentials is still a beta, but probably the final one. It is the RC (Release Candidate) build.

[wyeknott]

The current release of SBS 2011 Essentials is still a beta, but probably the final one. It is the RC (Release Candidate) build.

That's correct but I didn't download Essentials. My version is Standard Edition.
It is currently in RTM status and available from Microsoft immediately according to its website.
They're two different editions.

The official position is as follows:

http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/edit ... rview.aspx

"* At this time, only SBS 2011 Standard has been released and is available for purchase. SBS 2011 Essentials is expected to release H1 2011."

(at the bottom of the above site)

[BillG]

OK. I have the RC of Essentials installed and have no problem with the guest additions.

Regarding remote admin, SBS Essentials gives you a big warning message if you log on directly to the console. It says that this is bad practice and to manage it from the dashboard.

Warning.PNG

[BillG]

Regarding your general comments, I wonder why you are using SBS at all. If you want to drive the system your way, don't use SBS. It is specifically designed to be run by inexperienced system admins. It works fine if you stick to basics and let the wizards set things up for you. If you want to run your own way, use Server Standard.