VMware GSX 3 - Manual (Page 94)

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94
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide
You should expect to see this behavior each time you switch from one version of
VMware GSX Server to the other.
Using an Existing Virtual Machine and Upgrading
the Virtual Hardware
If you use an existing virtual machine and upgrade the virtual hardware, you gain
access to new features, but the process is one-way — you cannot reverse it.
Start by using an existing configuration file (.vmx) and virtual disk (.vmdk or .dsk).
Upgrade VMware Tools to the new version, following the instructions in Installing
VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide. Do not remove the
older version of VMware Tools before installing the new version.
Upgrade the virtual hardware so you can take advantage of better performance,
improved networking, support for taking a snapshot while the virtual machine is
running and improved virtual disk formats. See
Upgrading Virtual Hardware in the
Guest Operating System on page 94 .
Note: When you update the virtual hardware in a Windows XP or Windows Server
2003 virtual machine, the Microsoft product activation feature may require you to
reactivate the guest operating system.
Upgrading Virtual Hardware in the Guest Operating System
Upgrading a virtual machine’s virtual hardware gives it access to new features of GSX
Server. Before you upgrade the virtual hardware, however, consider the following:
• The virtual hardware upgrade is irreversible: The process of upgrading the
virtual hardware is irreversible and makes the disks attached to this virtual
machine incompatible with VMware GSX Server 1or 2. You should make backup
copies of your virtual disks before starting the upgrade.
• GSX Server 3 updates the CMOS: If you are using a virtual machine created
under VMware GSX Server 2, the first time you power on the virtual machine
under VMware GSX Server 3, GSX Server updates the CMOS. As a result, your
guest operating system may detect hardware changes and install new drivers for
the new hardware even if you do not choose to upgrade the virtual hardware.
• You must install VMware Tools: You need to install the new version of VMware
Tools. Do this before you upgrade the virtual hardware. For details, see
Installing
VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.
• An error may appear when upgrading from physical disk: If you are
upgrading a virtual machine that runs from a physical disk, rather than a virtual