In this milestone we'll set up a Windows Server 2016 to boot natively, i.e. as a 'real' physical server, not inside virtual machine.
There are several options:
Option #3 is the "cheapest" way since it doesn't require additional hardware. Basically your hard disk has to have enough free disk space to place a VHD file on it, which can be dynamically expanding (growing as needed). After installing Server 2016 into the VHD, the Windows boot loader will display a boot menu where you can select your old operating system or the new server. Instructions are available here http://itproguru.com/expert/2016/06/how-...p-by-step/. Make sure the VHD is big enough, perhaps about 50GB (capacity not actual size). Also you must have the same disk space free on the 'real' drive, even if you are not going to use it all. Example, if you create a VHD with a capacity of 100GB, the physical drive holding that file must have at least 100GB free, even if the space will never be used.
For option #2, you need a USB hard drive prepared. Follow the instructions here. Basically you download the ISO file and Rufus (from the article in the previous link). Use Rufus as shown in the article to display your USB hard disk, select the ISO file, and let it prepare the hard drive. Then reboot and as soon as the BIOS loads up, hit F12 to get the boot selection menu. The USB drive should appear as an option. If it doesn't boot and reverts to booting from your internal hard drive, you may need to check if the drive was created in MBR or GPT layout. If the latter, you need to enter the BIOS setup. Reboot the PC and hit F2 or delete. In the BIOS menu look for Boot settings. There should be an option for 'legacy' boot or UEFI. For disks using the GPT layout you need the UEFI boot mechanism. Once you change the setting, hit F10 to save and reboot. Then hit again F12 to get to the boot menu and select the USB drive. If everything went well you should see the Windows Server 2016 installer loading.
This gentleman was so nice to videotape the entire process here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvlEJJqo1tw
For option #1 it's probably best to have a USB stick. You would use again Rufus to place the Windows Server 2016 installer on the stick and then either boot from the stick to start the installer, or start the setup.exe on the stick on your space PC.
Once you have Windows Server 2016 installed, install the Hyper-V role in it. Follow the instructions shown in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGZrhKhj0Fk
All the above options will not affect your internal hard drive, except the VHD boot option, which will make a minor modification to the boot loader.
Install a VM
Once your have Windows Server 2016 working and the Hyper-V role installed, create a virtual machine in Hyper-V. See the above video link for instructions. You can use the same ISO file you have download earlier for the VM installation.
There are several options:
- Use a spare PC or laptop with at least 2GB (better minimum 4GB) RAM and around 50GB minimum hard disk space
- Use an external USB drive. Ideally 500GB or 1TB, USB3 if possible. Requires a computer that can boot from USB.
- Install Windows Server 2016 inside a VHD.
Option #3 is the "cheapest" way since it doesn't require additional hardware. Basically your hard disk has to have enough free disk space to place a VHD file on it, which can be dynamically expanding (growing as needed). After installing Server 2016 into the VHD, the Windows boot loader will display a boot menu where you can select your old operating system or the new server. Instructions are available here http://itproguru.com/expert/2016/06/how-...p-by-step/. Make sure the VHD is big enough, perhaps about 50GB (capacity not actual size). Also you must have the same disk space free on the 'real' drive, even if you are not going to use it all. Example, if you create a VHD with a capacity of 100GB, the physical drive holding that file must have at least 100GB free, even if the space will never be used.
For option #2, you need a USB hard drive prepared. Follow the instructions here. Basically you download the ISO file and Rufus (from the article in the previous link). Use Rufus as shown in the article to display your USB hard disk, select the ISO file, and let it prepare the hard drive. Then reboot and as soon as the BIOS loads up, hit F12 to get the boot selection menu. The USB drive should appear as an option. If it doesn't boot and reverts to booting from your internal hard drive, you may need to check if the drive was created in MBR or GPT layout. If the latter, you need to enter the BIOS setup. Reboot the PC and hit F2 or delete. In the BIOS menu look for Boot settings. There should be an option for 'legacy' boot or UEFI. For disks using the GPT layout you need the UEFI boot mechanism. Once you change the setting, hit F10 to save and reboot. Then hit again F12 to get to the boot menu and select the USB drive. If everything went well you should see the Windows Server 2016 installer loading.
This gentleman was so nice to videotape the entire process here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvlEJJqo1tw
For option #1 it's probably best to have a USB stick. You would use again Rufus to place the Windows Server 2016 installer on the stick and then either boot from the stick to start the installer, or start the setup.exe on the stick on your space PC.
Once you have Windows Server 2016 installed, install the Hyper-V role in it. Follow the instructions shown in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGZrhKhj0Fk
All the above options will not affect your internal hard drive, except the VHD boot option, which will make a minor modification to the boot loader.
Install a VM
Once your have Windows Server 2016 working and the Hyper-V role installed, create a virtual machine in Hyper-V. See the above video link for instructions. You can use the same ISO file you have download earlier for the VM installation.