sysprep for windows 2008

[ErinO]

Hi,

I've read artciles that say Sysprep does not work for windows 2008? Has this issue been resolved?

I would like to deploy windows 2008 as a template? How shall I do it in the correct manner.

Thanks for your patience.

[Troy_Clavell]

going off your other post, I assume you have vCenter. vCenter can customize your W2K8 guest easily. Create your gold image, shut it down and convert it to a template. From there, deploy off template and create a customization specification and save it. This way any W2K8 guest that gets deployed off the template will be "syspreped" using VMware's Customization.

[ErinO]

Hi,

Where do I get the sysprep file for windows 2008. I remember in windows 2003, you need to extract the fils and place in the windows 2003 folder and in c:\ document\setting....vmware\sysprep\

Now, I'm using vCENTER with vsphere 4.0. Where should I put the sysprep file for windows 2008 and how do I download the sysprep file ?

[AndreTheGiant]

Where do I get the sysprep file for windows 2008.

For Vista and 2008 you do not need them.

You need only a recent version of vCenter Server (like yours).

Andre

[ErinO]

Hi,

Let say, I've a VM is windows 2008 and has been updated to the service pack and the windows 2008 license has been activated online. Then I convert to template. When I deploy a new virtual machine using this template, will I need to activate the microsoft license again.

Thanks for your guidance.

[AndreTheGiant]

It depends by your license type. Some multi-license keys does not have the activation step.

If you change the license key it is possible that you have to reactivate Windows.

Also if you change the hardware (RAM size) it is possible that you have to reactivate Windows.

Andre

[Troy_Clavell]

One thing I would consider is installing and configuring a KMS host, this will solve most of your activation questions.

[krowczynski]

Troy is right! You can do it in that way!

Look at this post.

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/211793