Todd (and maybe Craig), do you guys run server 2k8 w/ Hyper-V where you work? I'm having trouble with my VMs killing a specific process (a VPN client) when I close out of the RDP session. All the other processes are fine. Unfortunately I'm working with a shitty Nortel VPN client which could ultimately be the problem. I was wondering if you guys had any ideas or things that I haven't thought about to try to keep this process alive when the RDP session ends. Googling is getting extremely frustrating as I keep getting results back about keeping sessions alive and all I really want to do is keep a process alive.

I don't think Win2k8 is your problem. The VPN client is open and specific to your session. Just disconnect your session instead of logging off the server when you are done. It will allow any processes you opened or started while your session was active to remain active. Or use a VNC client instead of RDP. I have one specific program here that will NOT work under RDP no matter if you are at console level or not, and I have to use RealVNC to work with it. Pisses me off - but such is life.

Or if its a service that is running on the server - change its start as permissions.

Yeah I'm with you. I think it is more the VPN client than anything since it is dying even when I just disconnect (instead of logoff). That has been the biggest frustration since all the other processes keep running fine, it is just that one process.

Let's see how replying from my blackberry works.

Matt I know this is probbaly over simple but in an instance like this I would use perfmon to monitor the process, and have it run to collect data for you since that will continue to monitor things after you log off / disconnect. Look up on google like perfmon, processes to watch for buggy programs - set the list - collect the data and see what's wrong. It could be like antivirus client trying to check for updates on an obscure port that is trying to use what the vpn client does. Or some random windows process that only starts after someone logs off. You know what I mean?? I always use perfmon to check buggy programs, and always win2k8 eventvwr is your friend. happy hunting.

Do u have to use the nortel vpn? Is it ipsec or ssl?

I figured it out when I tested it out between the XP version (that works OK) and the Vista version that doesn't. With XP the client runs as a service, with Vista (ws2k8) it doesn't. Google is being pretty unhelpful. Is there any way to make this app run as a service?

yeah I use a program called runDLL - I think? on one of my servers. You can run any application as a service - its a program you have to install. I'll find it and get back to you with more info

This is what i did - never used 2008 - but I assume this has to work too?

That did work, but it didn't work the way I needed it to. So it would probably be fine for any other application.

As for the Hyper-V stuff, maybe VS2005 did this but we shut the server down today for upgrades and on the reboot everything started back up in its original state. Even VPN clients stayed connected. It was VERY sexy. I was dreading the thought of restarting everything by hand again on the 20 or so VMs.

Hey Matt - revisiting this. I don't know jack about Windows 2008, or Hyper V yet. Going to do research today. Most anything I find those is some internet dumbass trying to get his name in a blog...

Is...?
Windows 2008 the OS, and Hyper-V an application that runs on top of it or is it embedded into the OS?
Is Hyper-V the virtualization application or do you install Virtual Server 2005 on top of that also?

Can you post any SS of your 2008 HyperV box, if HyperV is the application instead of VS2005 - I just want to see how it looks.

Just slightly confused...

Just ordered a 320gbHD and 4gb ram for my laptop - going to put Vista64 on it, and try to run a VM of Server2008 on it.

Oh also, I'm currently running 16 active VMs on this server and running SQL off of it (not my choice, I'd much rather buy a separate server). I can give you the specs if you want to see how it performs. I've had to cap SQL to run at just over 8gb of ram or else the hard drives thrash really bad because of the page file. All the VMs run on 512mb and the box has 20gb total.

AHHHH its a role - it makes sense now.. Ok !!!

So you manage everything through the MMC? and not through the web at all? I was reading some steps you have to do to migrate a VS2005 VHD to Hyper V and vice versa... doesn't seem too complicated. But I'm wondering how I would accomplish upgrading a win2k3r2 server to 2008 with hyper V. all of my VHDs are on a seperate partition from the system, but that irreversible upgrade to 2008 scares me being they are production env. servers like our blackberry server, domain controller, monitoring server, antivirus... etc. I'd rather do a side by side install - but I don't have a spare Server to accomplish this. Ideas?

Have you ever used the 2008 Server core installation?

Yeah I manage everything through the MMC. I haven't really had a need for it so I haven't looked, but I don't think Hyper-V has a web side like VS2K5 did. At the very least I know it doesn't require IIS to be installed like VS2K5 used to.

I feel your pain about the os install. I'm not quite sure what we would do here either. I'd probably just have to bite the bullet and do the install over a weekend and pray it didn't get jacked.

No, I've never used the server core install before. Doesn't that just let you pick and choose what you want?

Yeah Im installing server core - its actually just a command line OS.. theres no UI, and only takes up 1gb of HD space, uses less resources, less surface of attack - etc etc. But you can RDP into like a real server (I think ?? - I hope) we'll see - well right now. It's done installing. Going to install hyperV via cmd line on it and see what happens

Well I must say - there is no GUI other than a cmd window... even if you RDP into it. Its strange at first... but it actually gets really easy after about 30 minutes of commands. You kind of feel empowered by using commands - instead of a mouse. Ironic I know - but I kind of like this idea. It takes a lot longer to assign an IP, join a domain, allow RDP - and whatever else, but I'm sure without having to use all sorts of device drivers and god knows whatever else the UI bogs a computer down with - this is the way to go!!! I am going to try and get a command book - and brush up on my commands. This is sweet Matt - you should try it.

Yeah the owner of our company is a developer as well and he gives us shit for using the UI lol. He does everything a normal person would do in Notepad with VI but I have to give him credit, he can do shit 10x faster in VI than I can doing the same shit in Notepad. So I've been forcing myself to use it.

Let me know what command book you get, I might check it out.

lol im sorry did I just catch the name of your server as "RightMoves" ??? like... u got the the right moves baby..? LOL ?