By using WDS (Windows Deployment Service) Role you can deploy many OS to many VM using One Source, create new Test environments and Viirtualizing current Physical Servers. The source can be Virtual or Physical. You can create many Image files and locate them on the distributor server and from there you can spread them to other vms.

WDS Achievement:

You can achieve this task in three easy steps:

1. Join your Server to your Domain.
2. Configure the WDS Role.
3. Add Images from the Windows 2008/R2 installation Disk\ISO

You also need to add the following files from the source folder:

-          Boot.wim

-          Install.wim

Note!

If you using 32\64-bit you’ll need to add the WIM files from both 32\64-bit disks.

Let’s create the New Server

Creating the WDS Server

1. Create a new VM with Server2008R2 OS.
2. Configure the OS Tasks (Clock, Updates, Static IP…and to your Domain!!)
3. Install the WDS Role (Deployment Server + Transport Server)
4. Open Rules- open Servers- WDS
5. Open Server Configuration
6. Rules->WDS-> Expend Servers->Chose your Server name ->Right Click and chose “Server Configuration ”

Configuring the new WDS Server

A new Wizard will open that helps you simplify the server configuration:

Step 1: You need to choose your Image’s location (Save it on other Physical partition from the Boot partition).

Step 2: you need to choose the way the server responds for clients requests (Choose the last option to accept all requests).

Step3: Choose to add new Images

A new Wizard will open to help you configure your new Images:

Step 1: We need to get the Boot.wim and theInstall.wim from the Windows Server2008R2 ISO

(Mount it on the Host)

DVD Drive ->Sources Folder

After you finish you need to provide a name for the Image Group, in our case we are using 2008R2 server so we can call the Group with the amazing name of “Server2008R2”.

Note!

Now the Server will mount all images and it can take up to 15 minutes

Step 2: Now we going to create a Capture Image

Open your Boot Images Folder ->Chose the Newly Image located first -> Right Click->Create Capture Boot Image

Note!

You need to add the Newly Capture Boot Image manually because you cannot see it after creation (Right Click->Add Boot Image->add the File you just created)

Step 3: After you finish with step 2, you can go to the “Install Images” Folder and see all SIX Servers installation types, for saving Space delete the unneeded Images!

Testing the new Server Configuration!

Now after we create the new Server and configured it to perform 100% we must test it out…so let’s start playing!

Step 1: Create a new VM

Here you need to perform the entire Configuration you do in an ordinary Creation of a new VM. But with only one Difference, in the OS installation options you must Choose the “Install an OS from a Network-Based Installation Server”

Note!

When you choose this option the Server will automatically configured the VM with a Legacy Network Card to support the WDS deployment

Step 2: Start your New VM and see that the VM is looking for a “Client MAC Address”, after a few seconds the VM will locate the WDS server and ask you to press F12 to continue the Installation process, choose the first option and not the “Captured Boot” (the capture boot will used only when we want to capture a new OS and not for Deployment!).

Note!

When the system will started you will ask to choose which OS you want to install from the 6 OS configured on the WDS Server from the Source folder.

Finish!

Capturing Operating System

Here we will learn how to Capture an OS that already running and deploy it on other VM’s.When we capture a OS we Capture it with all configuration and Rules applied, the only thing we need to do before Capturing is to run Sysprep on that OS to Remove all identifications from the machine and deploy it afterwards on other VM

Note!

You run Sysprep only on a dedicated server that you install for a capturing!

Step 1: Log-in to the OS you want to Capture (Web Server\Print Server….)

Step2: Run Sysprep on the OS

Search for “Sysprep” on you OS, it’s located in System32 folder and run it.

On the Wizard choose the following:

Choose “Enter System-out of the box”   + Generate box + Reboot

Step3: When Restart the Machine Choose F12 and run the Capture Image we created when installing the WDS server for Capturing the Web Server.

Step 4: when the server is up a new wizard will open and ask you to choose:

Image Capture Source:

Volume to Capture: you want to capture the Boot Drive so choose the C drive

Image Name: Print Server

Image Description: @##$@

Image Capture Destination:

Location: choose any local drive with enough space on it.

The captured Image will save on the Destination you provide but that is not enough because you need to upload it to the WDS Server. Here you have two choices:

• Manually – after the captured Image created you simply can go and Move it to the WDS Server.

1. Share the File created for the captured Image(.WIM file)
2. Open the WDS Server and run the WDS role.
3. Transfer the shared .WIM captured file into the Images folder.
4. Now we need to upload the new Captured Image into the installation folder (That easy you can do it yourself…)

1. You now have a new Image you can Deploy on other VM’s

• Automatically – the preferred option is to use the option the Wizard provides you with the Automatically Upload Image Checkbox. If you choose this option you need to specify the WDS FQDN or IP Address.

This job is done!

1. Log-In
2. Open EMC
3. In the Navigation pane, click Microsoft Exchange On-Premises.
4. In the menu  bar, click Action and then click Collect Organizational Health Data
5. On the Introduction page, you can chose Schedule or Immediately. In our case we need to choose the second option for quick results.
6. On the Collect Org Health Data page , Click Collect
7. On the Completion page , Click Finish

To Review the Results of the Collected Data

1. In the Result pane , pay attention that the Data has now updated
2. Review the Information for Recipients and Org Servers Collected database
3. Finish!

The Hyper-v is a virtualize Technology that allows you to use one physical Server to Host multiple Operating Systems. Virtualization used by the Hyper-V give you the administrator the ability to create a Virtual Version of a Physical Device (Server, Storage, Networking….)

The Hyper-V server working between two layers, The Hardware Layer and the Operating Systems Layer. Because of that you can enjoy many Advantages:

• You can use both 32-bit and 64-bit Operating Systems and Linux OS.
• You get the option to create Snapshots (Saving current system state).
• Reduce Electricity consuming

Using the above feature you can enjoy many benefits, here you have the top features:

• Testing Environment – you can do all the things you afraid to do on your production environment without even care, and with the Snapshot feature you can do it again and again…
• Save Money – it’s easy to understand way…no more needs to be said ….
• DDC (Dynamic Data Center) - Using that feature you can control your VM’s in a one single interface.

Hyper-V and few Helpful Definitions

Here I want to specify few new Technology’s you need to know when you start working with Hyper-V

VM (Virtual Machine) – Vm is Virtualize computer hosting an Operating System that acts as a separate computer on the Host Server.

VHD (Virtual Hard Drive) – VHD is a file that replace the Physical HD. Because the Server Host VM all you need to know that Every VM has VHD located on the Server .in other words it acts exactly as Physical HDD.

Guest – That Exactly like VM only a different name….

Host- That’s the Hyper-V Server, this server holds all the VM’s you created.

Hyper-V can come in many Flavors:

• Server 2008 \ R2 -> here we can find the Hyper-V as a role Built into 64-Bit server Editions .here you need to remember that this is only ONE of the roles you can use in Server 2008,but it’s not recommended to use the Hyper-V role with any other server Roles. Take that in mind before you planning your architecture!

• Hyper-V Server – Here you use the Hyper-V as a standalone server dedicated only to the Hyper-V technology and it’s available for you for free in Microsoft website .you can compare the Hyper-V Server into VMware Esx Server I wrote about in my other posts.

• Hyper-V on Server 2008 Core 64-bit – I only wroth this option for you to know it’s exist but this option give you Hell before Setting it up .

Hardware Requirements

Here you can see my recommendation Hardware for Hyper-V Role in Server 2008\R2

Hyper-V in server 2008 licenses

Installing Hyper-V Server Role

As I said before we’re going to work on Server2008 R2, for that reason you first need to install Server2008R2 with all configuration like every other new server:

• Time Zone
• Server Name
• Static IP Address
• Firewall Configuration
• Microsoft Updates
• Test Connectivity to your DC

After you installed the server and configure it, we can start installing the Hyper-V role.

1. Open Server manager
2. Add Role
3. Mark the “Hyper-V” Box, Next
4. In the Create Virtual Networks, Specify the NIC or Nics you want to use.
5. The Server begins the Hyper-V installation (The Process can take up to 5 Minutes).
6. Finish!

Connecting into your newly installed Hyper-V Role

1. Open Server Manager
2. Navigate into Roles
3. Expend Hyper-V
4. Click on Hyper-V Manager

Note!

In the Hyper-V manager you can connect to other Hyper-V Server to manage their VM’s

1. Now you will see under the Hyper-V manager, The Server that manages your Local Virtual Machines.

For this demonstration we will work with two computers:

E10 – Exchange2010 Server.

PC1 – Windows 7

Let’s start our demonstration:

1. Log-in into PC1
2. Click Start -> All Programs->Accessories->Windows Power Shell-> Windows Power Shell

Now you need to type the following command:

$UserCredential = Get-Credential

After you type the above command a Credential window will open, here you should provide credentials of a user that have the correct access into your Exchange 2010 server

For example:

Planning\administrator

Note!

By using this command you can enter a different credentials from the user logged on the remote computer!

1. At the PS ,type the following :

$rs = New-PSSession –ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange –ConnectionUri http://E10.planning.local/powershell -Credentials $UserCredential

1. At the PS,type the following :

Invoke-command {Get-MailboxDatabase} –Session $rs

Note!

Now you can see many details related to your infrastructure, take a look it’s nice to know…

1. At the PS,type the following :

Enter-PSSession $rs

Now after you understand the way you connect into your Exchange2010 server we can actually start working on it, let’s give example:

Creating a new Resource Mailbox:

1. At the PS,type the following :

Set-Executionpolicy Unrestricted

1. At the PS,type the following :

Import-PSSession $rs

1. Create the Resource Mailbox , At the PS,type the following :

New-Mailbox –Alias TVsite1 –name “TV Responsible” –FirstName “TVroom” –Lastname “Site1” –DisplayName “TV Responsible” –UserPrincipalName TV@planning.com –OrganizationalUnit Users –Room

Congratulation s you can open you Exchange 2010 and verify you can see the new user!!

Here we want to move the last legacy Exchange2007 server from our site, in this step we must move the remaining services of our Exchange2007 into the new Exchange2010

1.       Setting up the default PF Database on our new installed Exchange2010

1. Log-In Exchange2010
2. EMC-> Organization Configuration ,Click Mailbox
3. Right click on the Mailbox Database->Properties ->Client Setting Tab
4. Under Default public folder database, click Browse
5. In the select PF Database window, you must verify that your Exchange2010 PF Database is the default selected.

2.       Now we have one of the most important issue Moving the Offline Address Book into Exchange2010

1. Log-in to Exchange2007
2. Open EMC->Organization Configuration, Click Mailbox
3. In the result pane,Nevigate to Offline Address Book
4. Under the OAB, Right click Default OAB book and then click Move.
5. In the move OAB Book wizard, Click Browse
6. In the select Mailbox Server Window, Click Xch2010,Click OK
7. Click Move to move the OAB, Click Finish

3.       Now you need to Update the Default OAB distribution location (Exchange2010)

1. Log-in to Exchange2010 /2007
2. Open EMC->Organization Configuration, Click Mailbox
3. In the result pane, Double-Click Offline Address Book
4. In the Properties window , Click Distribution Tab
5. Under the Distribute the OAB from these Virtual directories, click OAB (Default Web Site) and Remove the associated Exchange2007 Server.
6. Now we need to add the Exchange Server 2010 as our distributer :

Add->Chose Xch2010->Ok

1. After you finish add\Remove the Distributer you need to Update the new settings:

Right Click OAB ->Update

4.       Now we need to Update the Default PF database on Exchange2007

1. Open EMC
2. Server Configuration->Mailbox
3. In the work pane ,Click Mailbox Database
4. In the Action pane, under Mailbox Database, click Properties
5. In the Mailbox Database Properties window , Click the Client Settings tab
6. Under Default Public Folder database. Click Browse
7. In the select PF Database windows, verify that Xch2010 PF Database is the selected server

5.       Remove the Xch2007 PF Database

1. Open EMS (Exchange2007)

1. Type the following on PS:

Get-PublicFolderStatistics | Remove-PublicFolder

1. Read the message and type A, Enter.

1. Open EMS (Exchange2010)

1. Type the following on PS:

Get-PublicFolderDatabase –Server Xch2007 | Remove-PublicFolderDatabase

6.       Remove the Exchange2007 Mailbox Database

1. Open Xch2007 
2. Open EMC ,Click Refresh

Note!

You must NOT see the PF database after you refresh the page.

1. In the Work pane , under First Storage Group , Right click Mailbox Database and then Remove

7.       We finally arrive  into the final step , removing the last Exchange2007 Server

1. Log-in Xch2007
2. Open Control Panel -> Add\Remove Programs
3. Click Microsoft Exchange Server 2007  and then click Remove
4. In the Exchange Server 2007 SP2 setup wizard, click Next
5. On the Server Role Selection page, clear all server role check boxes and the  Managmant Tools check box and then click next

1.       Set the PF Replication Topology interval

1. Log-In to your Exchange2007 server
2. Open EMC
3. Expend Server Configuration -> Mailbox
4. In the work pane, under Second Storage Group , right-click Public Folder Database and the click Properties
5. In the PF database properties windows, Click the Replication  tab
6. Under Limits, in the Replication interval for “Always run” (Minutes) field, type 1 and then click OK.

2.       Create PF Database on the Exchange2010

1. Log-In into Exchange2010 server
2. Open EMC
3. Organization Configuration ,Click Mailbox
4. In the Action pane, click new PF Database
5. On the Introduction page, in the PF database name field, type Xch2010 PB Database
6. Under Server name ,click Browse, Verify XCH2010 is selected, click OK, Click Next
7. On the set paths page, review database paths, and clear the Mount this database Check box.

Note! 

The Database should not be mounted darning the replication

h.     On the PF database page, review the configuration, Click new

i.      On the Completion page, click Finish.

3.       Dismount and Mount the PF database (Exchange2007)

1. Log-in into Exchange2007
2. In the Work pane, under Second Storage Group, Right-click Public Folder Database and then click Dismount Database.
3. After the store dismounts, right-click PF Database and then click Mount Database.

Note!

We dismount and mount the Database in order to trigger the PF replication and start the new PF database.

4.       Set the Replication Intervals and mount the new PF database(Exchange2010)

1. Log-in Xch2010
2. Navigate into your newly created PF database -> Properties-> Replication
3. In the  Replication Interval for “Always Run ” (Min) field,  change the value to 1 ,Click OK
4. Mount the new PF Database

5.       Now you need to Configure the Exchange Scripts directory in the System Path variable

1. Log-in Exchange2010
2. Open Server Manager
3. Click  Change System Properties -> Advanced
4. Navigate into Environment Variables
5. Under  System variables field, add the following syntax to the Existing value:

;C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V14\Scripts

Note!

Make sure you type with the correct syntax!

6.       Now we need to Discover PF Replicas

1. Open EMS

Start->All Programs->Microsoft Exchange 2010 – EMC

1. Now you must insert the following Command:

Get-PublicFolder –Server Xch2007(your Exchange Name) –Recurse | FL Name,Replicas

        Note!

        You need to understand the all Replicas are currently located on the Exchange2007

7.       Now we need to create the actual Moving of PF to Xch2010

1. Open EMC ,type the following:

Moveallreplicas.ps1 –Server Xch2007 –NewServer Xch2010–06–08

After you finish with the above command, Type:

  Get-PublicFolder –Recurse | FL Name,Replicas

Note!

You must verify that all PF are now located on XCh2010, it can take up to 15 minutes,

In case it’s take more the 15 minutes ,Run both commands again.

8.       Now we need to make sure that PF content has been moved

Teat 1 :

1. Open EMS,type the following :

Get-PublicFolderStatistics

1. Open EMC.
2. Open Toolbox
3. In the result pane, Double-Click PF Management Console
4. Navigate to the Default Public Folders
5. Navigate to the Finance Folder , Click Properties->Replication

Her you must verify that you have only the Xch2010 Server listed.

Test 2 :

1. Open IE (On you Exchange Server)
2. Login with OWA address :

https://mail.planning-tech.com/Owa

1. Navigate to your PF folders
2. Verify you can see all changes you created on the PF Database

In this step we going to make the real issue and that means we going to transfer our Mailbox Database between our old and new Exchange servers.

Note!

To make sure and validate the transfer take one of your users and create items (PB & Outlook) and check them after you moving the user Mailbox.

1.       Create new items for a user

1. Log-on to ClientPC with one of your users
2. Open your user outlook 2007/2010 account
3. Create the following items so you can check it after you move user mailbox:

Outlook:

• Create new folders with Rules on that folder.
• Create new Meeting on your Calendar and Invite anther users

Outlook PB:

• Create new Public Folder  
• Create on that folder a new post.

2.       Move test user Mailbox from Exchange2007 to Exchange2010

1. Log-in Xch2010
2. Open run -> Services.msc  :

Now you need to check all service (Belonging to Exchange2010) set on Automatic mode and follow the net role:

Every Server set on Auto must be started before we proceed.

1. Open EMC – > Recipient Configuration, Click Mailbox
2. On the Action pane on the Right, Click View, and the click add/Remove Columns, add the Database Coolum.
3. Under Displayed Columns verify the selection of the database; click Move up until its location will be below Allies, Click OK.
4. In the results pane, click the Database Column to sort the users by Database.
5. Select all users who’s mailboxes in the First Storage Group\Mailbox Database
6. In the Action ,click  New Local Move Request -> Click Browse
7. In the select Mailbox Database Window, click the mailbox database associated with your Exchange2010, Click OK, and then click next.
8. On the Move Options page, accept all default selection, Click Next
9. On the New Local Move Request page , review the mailboxes to be moved , Click New
10. On the Completion page, click Finish
11. In the navigation pane , under Recipient Configuration , Click move Request
12. Review the current move requests, in the Move Request Status column, Verify that the move request is completed
13. In the Navigation pane, under Recipient Configuration ,click Mailbox
14. In the Action pane , click Refresh and confirm that the all mailboxes is transfer to the new location Databases\Mailbox Database<ID Number>

3.       Verify that all the settings you created on the user mailbox has pass after you transfer users mailboxes

You need to check the following:

Outlook:

• Press and hold the CTRL button down, in the system tray, Right-Click the Outlook icon, chose Connection Status. Now verify the connection set to : XCh2010.planning-tech.com
• Verify you can see the folders with the Rules on that folder.
• Verify you can see the new Meetings on your Calendar.
• Verify you can Send\Receive massages Internal and External

Here we going to use an External computer (ExternalPC) to test our OWA configuration and the SMTP mail flow from outside of our domain (Planning-tech.com).why testing you asking..?

Because we must be ensure that users whose mailboxes are still in the old Exchange (Xch2007) are able to access their accounts using OWA.the second issue you want to be sure to work is that Messages will be routed correctly to Exchange2007 users.

1.       Verify we can access the old Exchange 2007 Server using OWA

1. Log-in ExteranlPC
2. Open IE and type the following address:

HTTPS:// Mail.Planning-Tech.com /Owa

1. Now enter your Credentials with your domain name

User: planning\David

Pass: @! #!#!@#

Note!

Notice that the authentication is confirm in the Exchange2010 CAS and then routhed to the user Exchannge2007 server Mailbox.

1. Now open OWA with different user and send Messages between users to verify Mail Flow

1. 1.       Create the new Certificate Request using EMC
   1. Log-in to the Exchange 2010 server
   2. Open EMC
   3. Navigate to Server Configuration
   4. On the Right panel-> New Exchange Certificate
   5. On the Introduction page Click your Host for the new Certificate ,in our case we can use Mail.Planning-Tech.com
   6. On the Domain Scope, Next.
   7. Now when you arrive to the “Exchange Configuration” we can chose many different options ,I recommended to follow the next configuration :

• Client Access Server(Outlook Web App)

Here you need to choose both the Internal and the External (Mark both checkboxes)

Internal Configuration:                                 Xch2010.planning.local

External Configuration:                Mail.Planning-Tech.com

• Active Synch(Used For Phones connections)

Configuration:                                  Mail.Planning-Tech.com

1. After we click next,

We will arrive to the “Certificate Domain” here we need to perform the following:

• Select and Remove the old address “Xch2007.Planning-Tech.com”
• You need to put the following records :

Xch2010 (NetBIOS name)

Xch2010.planning-tech.Local (Server FQDN)

Mail.planning-tech.com (External Address) – For this record I have two notes for you:

• This is your External record configured at your internet host (Go-Daddy…) as the MX record.
• This address needs to be set as the primary address.

Autodiscover.planning-tech.com (External Address so we need to set it on our internet host as additional record)

Autodiscover.planning.local

1. In the Organization and Location, fill your Organization specifications.

After you finish filling all tabs, click on Browse

Now chose a location for the .REQ certificate.  In our case we save it on the Root drive:\planning\Cert.req. Click Save.

1. Organization and Location page, Click Next
2. Certificate Configuration page, Click New
3. Completion page, Click Finish

1. 2.       Submit the new Certificate Request to an online Certificate authority

1. Go to the saved file location (c:\planning)and Double-Click on the Cert.req
2. In the Windows dialog, select “Select a program from a list of installed programs”, Click OK.
3. Chose Notepad, OK.
4. Select all records on the file and copy them.
5. Close Notepad.
6. Open IE and type the following address:

http://dc1.planning-tech.com/certsrv 

Note!

The address points to Dc1 because it’s olds our CA server

1. A new window will open called “Active Directory Certificate Services”, here you need to chose ,  Request a Certificate  
2. On the next page chose, Advanced Certificate request
3. On the next page Chose, submit a certificate request by using a base……
4. On the submit a Certificate Request or Renewal Request page, Right-Click in the Saved Request field and click Paste
5. Under Certificate Template, click the Drop-Down list, click Web Server, and the click Submit
6. On the Certificate Issued page, select base 64 Encoded and click the Download Certificate link.
7. In the File Download – Security Warning dialog box, click Save.
8. in the save As window, in the File name ,type c:\Cert.cer,click Save

1. 3.       Import a Certificate using the Exchange Management Console
   1. In the Exchange Management Console ,click on the new Certificate

Note!

You need to refresh the console before you can see the new Cert.

1. Right-Click on the Certificate and choose “Complete Pending Request ”
2. On the introduction page, click Browse.
3. Navigate to the place you put the Certificate and choose it, click Complete

1. 4.       Assign services to the Certificate
   1. In the Work pane, Under Exchange Certificates, select the new installed Certificate.
   2. In the Action pane, under your selected Certificate ,click Assign Services to Certificate
   3. on the select Server page, Verify  that Xch2010 is the only server listed
   4. on the Select Services page, select the IIS(Internet Information Services)
   5. on the Assign Services page, click Assign
   6. f.        Finish!!!

Because we don’t have in our scenario any Mail Relay and we need to Receive Messages from the cloud we need to make the changes on the local Exchange Server. After this step our environment can Send and Receive Messages both in the Internal and the External sites.

1. 1.       Allow Messaging from the External Cloud

1. Log-In Exchange 2010 Server(With admin Credentials)
2. Open Exchange Management Console
3. Server Configuration->Hub Transport
4. Chose Default Receive Connector ->Properties
5. Navigate to Permission Groups
6. Mark Anonymous Check box.

Note!

Your Exchange Server now can receive Messages from the External Cloud!

1. 2.       Modify Send connectors to use the new Exchange 2010

1. Open Exchange Management Console
2. organization Configuration->Hub Transport-Send Connectors
3. Right click on “External Mail Connector” -> Properties
4. Source Server Xch2007 ->Remove
5. Click ADD – > Chose the new XCh2010 server.

Note!

You are ready to send Messages to the cloud!