Problem Definition:


CloudConnect's virtual servers have the ability to be easily maintained and upgraded. Regardless of the reason, the process of upgrading is as simple as it would be with any other server.


Resolution:


Instead of deploying an entirely new VM and migrating all the data from the antiquated VM, CloudConnect provides the capability to easily upgrade the operating system of any virtual environments you have deployed on our platform.


Note: This article is for a virtual server that was NOT deployed with Citrix or RDS capabilities. If your server WAS deployed with Citrix or RDS capabilities, click here to be brought to the correct article. If you're not sure how your server was deployed, click here to determine which process you should follow.


For this example, we're going to upgrading a Virtual Windows Server running Windows Server 2008R2 to Windows Server 2016. Because there is no direct upgrade path from Windows Server 2008 R2 to Windows Server 2016, we must first upgrade to Windows Server 2012 R2.


Note: Please ensure that your virtual server has at least 20 GB of free storage space before you begin the upgrade process. You cannot increase the space of the virtual drive while a snapshot is active.


Prior to beginning this procedure, make sure all users are logged out of their Cloud desktops.


Expected time of completion: 2-3 hours


Log Into your vCloud Director Instance


Log in as a domain administrator the server you want to upgrade 

Note: Please ensure that your virtual server has at least 20 GB of free storage space before you begin the upgrade process. You cannot increase the space of the virtual drive while a snapshot is active.


Create a snapshot of the server for rollback purposes


Ensure only the "Quiesce" box is checked.


Ensure the snapshot completed successfully


Insert media into the VM


Insert the Windows Server 2012 R2 iso


Login as a Domain Administrator


Run the 2012 R2 Server upgrade


Begin server software installation


Select "No thanks"


Install the corresponding software to your Virtual Machine Note: All Citrix Machines will require a GUI.



Note: If you get an error, it is because you might have selected the wrong operating system to install. Simply click the prompt to move back to this screen, and select the correct operating system version.


You might see this prompt; if you do, disregard it. The operating system MUST be updated to ensure maximum security and performance. This step WILL take a while.

This step WILL take a while.


Once the software is finished installing, log in to the machine as a Domain Administrator


Eject Windows Server 2012 R2 iso


Note: If you'd like to stay on Windows Server 2012R2 (Windows 8.1 Emulated) click here to jump to the next relevant section.


Insert CD/DVD from Catalog


Insert the Windows Server 2016 iso


Run the 2016 Server upgrade


Select "Not right now"


Install the corresponding software to your Virtual Machine



NOTE: ALL CITRIX MACHINES WILL REQUIRE A GUI


Login to the VM as an Administrator


Open the registry editor


Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup and delete the "Upgrade" REG_DWORD.


Right click the "Upgrade" folder, and select export.


Save the folder to your desktop, or some other location you can easily find it. This is for backup purposes.


Delete the upgrade folder.


Eject the Windows Server 2016 iso


Shut Down Guest OS


Once the VM is powered off, navigate to Properties


Ensure the Operating System is correctly listed as the operating system you have installed.


!IMPORTANT!: Only remove the snapshot when you have successfully completed the process you're working on and have MADE 100% SURE everything is working correctly.


Finally, remove the snapshot. After this, you're finished!


Congratulations, you're done!