Is cloning a SQL 2008R2 Server officially supported by Microsoft?

Question

Hi there

I was looking for a document with support details for virtual servers (under VMware) cloned when SQL 2008R2 is already installed. Clones are done in COLD state (virtual machine turned off). After clone, sysprep is used and a master manipulation to change server name is done. 

Is this officially supported by MS? If not, could you please tell me where I can find a document stating this? 

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Hello,

The process is supported and described in the following post by a Microsoft employee (Ben Armstrong):

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2006/11/13/running-sysprep-on-a-virtual-machine-with-sql-server-installed.aspx

 

Hope this helps.  

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com

Answer 2

Hello,

The process is supported and described in the following post by a Microsoft employee (Ben Armstrong):

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2006/11/13/running-sysprep-on-a-virtual-machine-with-sql-server-installed.aspx

 

Hope this helps.  

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com 

Thank you very much Alberto

It was what I was looking for :-)

 

Although there is no "how to officially clone SQL server" I think that starting from the following statements 

1. cloning a computer "is supported" as long as sysprep is run after clone

2. renaming a SQL "is supported" as long as you execute some steps in the master as per KB

1+2 = cloning a computer with sql installed = is supported as long as you run sysprep and modify servername by following the KB  :-))

Thanks again!

Answer 3

Hello,

I posted a comment on the link about your request.

Have a good day!

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com