Windows Server 2008 documentation covers information on how to install the operating system in a virtual machine. For additional information about the operating system, refer to the instructions included in the installation media.
Windows Server 2008 documentation includes the following topics:
- Installation Instructions
- Installing Missing Multimedia Audio Controller in a Windows Server 2008 Guest
- VMware Tools in a Windows Server 2008 Guest
- Knowledge Base Articles for Windows Server 2008
- VMware Compatibility Guide
Installation Instructions
You can install the Windows Server 2008 in a virtual machine using the corresponding Windows Server 2008 distribution CD.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, verify that the following tasks are complete:
- Read General Installation Instructions for All VMware Products.
- Read the Microsoft System Requirements for the recommended storage and memory values.
- Create and configure a new virtual machine, with the appropriate virtual storage and virtual memory to support the intended workload.
Installation Steps
- Insert the Windows Server 2008 CD in the CD-ROM drive.
- Power on the virtual machine to start installing Windows Server 2008.
- (Optional) If you are using VMware Paravirtual as the default SCSI controller, you can install Windows Server 2008 32-bit and 64-bit using the pvscsi-windows2008.flp driver.
- Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
- Install VMware Tools.
Installing Missing Multimedia Audio Controller in a Windows Server 2008 Guest
If an Internet connection is not available while installing a 32-bit Windows Server 2008 guest, the driver for the multimedia audio controller will not be installed. The Windows Device Manager will indicate that the driver for the multimedia audio controller is missing. To install the required driver, configure an Internet connection, and run Windows Update on the Windows Server 2008 virtual machine.
VMware Tools in a Windows Server 2008 Guest
- ESX supports the Server Core role available in the Standard, Datacenter, and Enterprise editions of Windows 2008 Server. VMware Tools still apply, unless Server Core disables parts of the operating system that are specifically supported by VMware Tools. See the Microsoft Developer Network Web site for more information about Server Core, http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms723891(VS.85).aspx.
- For information on VMware Tools, see Knowledge base article 1014294, General VMware Tools installation instructions, at http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1014294.
Knowledge Base Articles for Windows Server 2008
The following link refers to knowledge base articles on operating system specific issues. See VMware Knowledge Base for a list of known issues about the operating system.
VMware Compatibility Guide
The VMware Compatibility Guide Web site lists supported guest and host operating systems and provides related support information.