And we didn't want to install Ubuntu Server or some other distro and install Xen into that because of the previously mentioned setup.

That would be extra overhead.

"Spinning rust"

Gonna have to remember that one

We got it from : http://xenserver.org/overview-xenserver-open-source-virtualization/download.html and installed directly to a dedicated drive that we threw into out VM Host

We specifically didn't want to use a Thumb drive to run the Distro.

But thinking about it afterwards it would probably be easier to make a clone of a Thumb Drive ISO for backup purposes.

XenServer has a Live CD that you can install directly to a dedicated drive. Which builds Dom0, Dom0 the resides on that disk as an 8GB partition.

Oh just as a heads up I did a direct install of Xen, no overhead for another OS, directly into a dedicated (cheapo) hard drive. If I really wanted I could have used an 8GB Thumb drive to run the OS on.

Keep all of your local storage for storage.

NAUBackup is a great script for Xen. GitHub Link

Anyways just wget into /patcher and it can be run right from there with just some small adjustments to the file paths.

When I started using it I even made some recommendations to the comments to clear up what was being said. If you have questions don't hesitate to ask.

Scott I will try that tonight.

10 Last night, being as it's a free upgrade which also asked for a product key. Which is why it's likely that the downloader Microsoft has is providing the Retail Installer

It is stored in BIOS but I can't find the field as is its a hidden record using a special chip designed by microsoft for just this purpose.

Using a retail ISO or CD will never pull the BIOS OEM key.

Yeah that's what I'm already using.

I'm downloading an ISO now for Windows 8.1 and will try again when I get home this afternoon. But last night it asked for a product key, which sucks.

Of course she has no recovery media of her own.

Yeah she said she liked Ubuntu design compared to a few others I showed her so I installed that. But if she really wants Windows 8 then I'll see what I can do, but the Make your own Media from Windows still requires a product key, it doesn't pull it in from BIOS.

I took a look around for the windows 8 ISO and couldn't find it. I'll take a look again, unless of course you have the link right there in front of you.

And Linux would probably be a lot better for what she uses the device for, Web surfing exclusively.

As much as I disdain Windows 8, I have a niece who loves it.

Well she destroyed her windows partition, and oddly the system doesn't have a recovery partition built in. Anyhoo are there any linux distro's that mimic the Windows 8 theme that anyone is aware of?

So then whoever made the comment about purchasing old NSA equipment and taking that key is outside of bounds in Microsoft's Eyes...

Just sayin'

I thought it was against the terms of service to strip a product key off of an already assembled computer to re-purpose it as a VM..

Maybe I was wrong with that but I'm almost certain I read that on an OEM Agreement for Windows 7.

Well I didn't say they had it, I just wouldn't say they "don't have a T3 support number"

If I did then I'd be lying.

@scottalanmiller .. Only if they had a Direct Dial to T3 support. Which they might if they are a partner of ESXi. But I don't have an answer to this.

coliver

Licensing priced for an enterprise is comparable to buying a car, you may have $200,000 to drop, but the next guy just wants 4 wheels and a steering wheel.

Why should I (we) pay more for a solution just because others are? Especially when there are other options for free.

Yes.. yes I know they are both bare-metail hypervisors.

Lastly

If we went with either paid solution (we not the MSP) would be more than likely to have to reach either support department* for help, unless its of a critical function at which point the MSP would come in to help.

Easy support as in (Our current MSP already uses this, therefore we don't have to look for support should we need it)

The enterprises item is specifically a negative as much larger companies (from all information I could find) with the aforementioned ones you put up are paying for ESXi functionality and licensing.

ESXi Essentials licensing allows you to use more than the maximum hardware of 1 CPU. Otherwise it's practically worthless without licensing but to run a few VM that can fit on a single CPU.