Currently SBS 2008 is installed as a bare metal installation (Dell PowerEdge). The problem is the server image is in pretty bad shape. SBS console and various snap ins are struggling to open and the ones that do open end almost immediately.
I'm planning to take the data we backed up and just wipe out the drives and do a re-install. I've suggested we virtualize it this time around to provide easier management and create a way to backup the image with less frustration.
My question is this: Is it feasible to wipe out these drives, install ESX / ESXi and use the disks to provide an ISO? Furthermore will I run in to any formidable issues with that perc s 100? Does Windows Server licensing care that I've decided to go virtual? Will it activate upon the new setup? I'm trying to be careful as this is the first time I've done this, and I'm hoping to gain some insight from some of you gurus before I embark on this little project.
Just some background information on this server:
Storage: perc s 100(Embedded) RAID 5 (3HDD's)
Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008, Standard x64 Edition
Version 6.0 (Build 6002 : Service Pack 2) (x64)
Thanks.