Will my iSCSI-to-VMDK storage change plan work?

[cparker4486]

Hello,

My MSSQL 2008 Server was setup with an iSCSI attached drive (D:). This drive contains the program files for the SQL server and databases. As such it is not included in Veeam backups and I'd like to change that. My plan is very simple and seems almost too easy to be true so I'd like the community to provide some feedback.

• 1. Shutdown server and take snapshot
  2. Add a new VMDK disk attached through ESXi (E:)
  3. Shutdown SQL Server services
  4. Synchronize all the data from D: to E: using (my synchronization program of choice) Beyond Compare 3
  5. Rename D: to F: and then rename E: to D:
  6. Start SQL Server services
  7. If all goes well remove the iSCSI disk otherwise revert to the snapshot

As far as I can see it, the server will not know anything has changed because the server is not aware of the drive letter changes.

[Vitaliy S.]

Hi Chris,

If you know how to move program files folder to another drive, then your plan looks good. On the other hand, if you just want to move SQL Server, why not to install it from scratch on the new drive and then attach databases from the previous SQL Server?

Thanks!

[cparker4486]

Hi Vitaliy.

On the other hand, if you just want to move SQL Server, why not to install it from scratch on the new drive and then attach databases from the previous SQL Server?

Only because I'm not familiar enough with SQL Server to perform such a thing.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Vitaliy S.]

Here is a step by step instruction, please check it out: http://cp.veeam.com/knowledgebase/article/KB1250