Logo
programming4us
programming4us
programming4us
programming4us
Home
programming4us
XP
programming4us
Windows Vista
programming4us
Windows 7
programming4us
Windows Azure
programming4us
Windows Server
programming4us
Windows Phone
 
Windows Server

Migrating to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Lab-Testing Existing Applications

- Free product key for windows 10
- Free Product Key for Microsoft office 365
- Malwarebytes Premium 3.7.1 Serial Keys (LifeTime) 2019
3/3/2011 10:36:53 PM
With the preparation and research completed and the compatibility testing plan verified as needed, the actual testing can begin. The testing process should be fairly anticlimactic at this point because the process has been discussed at length, and it will be clear what the testing goals are and which applications will be tested. Due diligence in terms of vendor research should be complete, and now it is just a matter of building the test server or servers and documenting the results.

The testing process can yield unforeseen results because the exact combination of hardware and software might affect the performance of a key application; but far better to have this occur in a nonproduction environment in which failures won’t affect the organization’s ability to deliver its services.

During the testing process, valuable experience with the installation and upgrade process will be gained and will contribute to the success of the production migration. The migration team will be familiar with—or possibly experts at—the installation and application migration processes when it counts, and are more likely to avoid configuration mistakes and resolve technical issues.

Allocating and Configuring Hardware

Ideally, the budget will be available to purchase the same server hardware and related peripherals (such as tape drives, UPSs, mobile devices, and applications) that will be used in the production migration. This is preferable to using a server machine that has been sitting in a closet for an undetermined period of time, which might respond differently than the eventual hardware that will be used. Using old hardware can actually generate more work in the long run and adds more variables to an already complex process.

If the testing process is to exactly mirror the production environment, this would be considered to be a prototype phase, which is generally broader in scope than compatibility testing, and requires additional hardware, software, and time to complete. A prototype phase is recommended for more complex networks in which the upgrade process is riskier and more involved and in which the budget, time, and resources are available.

Don’t forget to allocate a representative workstation for each desktop operating system that is supported by the organization and a sample remote access system, such as a typical laptop or mobile device that is used by the sales force or traveling executive.

Allocating and Configuring Windows Server 2008 R2

By this point, the software has been ordered, allocated, downloaded, and set aside for easy access, along with any notes taken or installation procedures downloaded in the research phase. If some time has elapsed since the compatibility research with the vendors, it is worth checking to see whether any new patches have been released.

When configuring the servers with the appropriate operating systems, the company standards for configurations, based on industry best practices, should be adhered to, if they have been documented. Standards can include the level of hard drive redundancy, separation of the application files and data files, naming conventions, roles of the servers, approved and tested security updates, and security configurations.

Next, Windows Server 2008 R2 should be configured to also meet company standards and then for the essential utilities that will protect the integrity of the data and the operating system, which typically include the backup software, antivirus software, and management utilities and applications. After this base configuration is completed, it can be worth performing a complete backup of the system or taking a snapshot of the server configuration, using an application such as Ghost, in case the subsequent testing is problematic and a rollback is necessary.

Loading the Remaining Applications

With Windows Server 2008 R2 configured with the core operating system and essential utilities, the value-added applications can be tested. Value-added applications enhance the functionality of Windows and enable the users to perform their jobs more efficiently and drive the business more effectively. It’s helpful to provide a project plan calendar or schedule to the end users who will be assisting in the testing process at this point so they know when their services will be needed.

As a basic guideline, first test the most essential applications and the applications that were not identified previously as being compatible. By tackling the applications that are more likely to be problematic early on in the process, the testing resources will be fresh and any flags can be raised to the stakeholders while there is still time left in the testing process for remediation.

Thorough testing by the end users is recommended, as is inclusion of the help desk staff in the process. Notes taken during the testing process will be valuable in creating any configuration guides or migration processes for the production implementation.

Note

Beyond basic functionality, data entry, and access to application-specific data, some additional tests that indicate an application has been successfully installed in the test environment include printing to different standard printers, running standard reports, exporting and importing data, and exchanging information with other systems or devices. Testing should be done by end users of the application and administrative IT staff who support, maintain, and manage the application. Notes should be taken on the process and the results because they can be very useful during the production migration.


Certified for Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft offers a program that enables vendors to innovate on the Windows Server 2008 R2 platform and related technologies. This program is called Innovate on Windows Server, and it allows vendors, organizations, and partners to build, test, and certify that their applications and products are compatible with Windows Server 2008 R2. Once certified, a logo will be placed on the product stating Certified for Windows Server 2008 R2.

During the analysis phase of whether existing applications will be compatible with Windows Server 2008 R2, it is a best practice to validate that the applications do carry the Certified for Windows Server 2008 R2 logo by contacting the manufacturer. By having the logo, application testing and additional analysis of a specific application is minimized when upgrading to Windows Server 2008 R2.

The Innovate on Windows Server partner program can be found at the following hyperlink: www.innovateonwindowsserver.com/Default.aspx.

Testing the Migration and Upgrade Process

This section touches on the next logical step in the testing process. After it has been verified that the final configuration agreed upon in the planning process is stable and which applications and utilities will be installed on which server, the actual upgrade process can be tested. 

Other -----------------
- Migrating to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Verifying Compatibility with Vendors
- Migrating to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Researching Products and Applications
- Migrating to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Preparing for Compatibility Testing
- Migrating from Windows Server 2003/2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Multiple Domain Consolidation Migration (part 5) - Migrating Other Domain Functionality
- Migrating from Windows Server 2003/2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Multiple Domain Consolidation Migration (part 4) - Migrating Computer Accounts
- Migrating from Windows Server 2003/2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Multiple Domain Consolidation Migration (part 3) - Migrating Groups & Migrating User Accounts
- Migrating from Windows Server 2003/2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Multiple Domain Consolidation Migration (part 2)
- Migrating from Windows Server 2003/2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Multiple Domain Consolidation Migration (part 1)
- Migrating from Windows Server 2003/2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Phased Migration (part 4) - Upgrading Domain and Forest Functional Levels & Moving AD-Integrated DNS Zones to Application Partitions
- Migrating from Windows Server 2003/2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2 : Phased Migration (part 3) - Moving Operation Master Roles & Retiring “Phantom” Domain Controllers
 
 
Top 10
- Microsoft Visio 2013 : Adding Structure to Your Diagrams - Finding containers and lists in Visio (part 2) - Wireframes,Legends
- Microsoft Visio 2013 : Adding Structure to Your Diagrams - Finding containers and lists in Visio (part 1) - Swimlanes
- Microsoft Visio 2013 : Adding Structure to Your Diagrams - Formatting and sizing lists
- Microsoft Visio 2013 : Adding Structure to Your Diagrams - Adding shapes to lists
- Microsoft Visio 2013 : Adding Structure to Your Diagrams - Sizing containers
- Microsoft Access 2010 : Control Properties and Why to Use Them (part 3) - The Other Properties of a Control
- Microsoft Access 2010 : Control Properties and Why to Use Them (part 2) - The Data Properties of a Control
- Microsoft Access 2010 : Control Properties and Why to Use Them (part 1) - The Format Properties of a Control
- Microsoft Access 2010 : Form Properties and Why Should You Use Them - Working with the Properties Window
- Microsoft Visio 2013 : Using the Organization Chart Wizard with new data
 
programming4us
Windows Vista
programming4us
Windows 7
programming4us
Windows Azure
programming4us
Windows Server