Running a Hyper-V VHD file on Virtual Box

We set-up a hyper-v based server in our office here in Singapore.
From time to time, we do get our free-lancers to manage and configure patches etc-etc-etc.


There is this one case where our dear Bangladeshi partner requires access to the Virtual Machine and for weird reasons, need the entire VHD file to do the necessary configuration.

Well, the overall VHD is 40GB, and it'll take days to get it across the WAN lines even with fiber.
So, we decided to ship it in a 64GB Thumbdrive so that it can be sent over quickly.

My colleague was concerned that it might not run properly once it's sent over, as such, she wanted me to verify if the VHD file and the OS is valid.

My quickest way of verifying the set-up would be to use the Virtual Box, and in this case, a VirtualBox Ver 5.0.6r103037

I simply created a VM, set it to Windows Server 2008r2, I did disable the Audio drivers, set the LAN to NAT... and without much thinking, left the processor settings and disk settings as they are.

Windows did not boot. Blue-screen Error with 0x00000007B

Upon google-ing, I realized it's related to the disk controller -
Proceeded to change the Disk from SATA with AHCI mode to IDE with PIIX4 mode.

That solved the problem Immediately and Windows boot.

I wanted better performance on the VM, as such, I decided to change the following configuration on the:
1) motherboard - unticked the ICH9 and enable I/O APIC
2) acceleration - Paravirtualization Interface (Hyper-V), maintained VT-X and Nested Paging

Done!

The Virtual Machine should be happily making its way to Bangladesh now....

The IDEAL IT Infrastructure Set-up for all Organizations

At times, people have come to me to seek help with their Infrastructure set-up for their businesses.
Although they appreciate my advise, many simply do not understand the value or the implications or the benefits in the long run of implementing a stable, ease of management and adequately redundant systems in the organization.

Any-how, what would entail an ideal small-business (or any business) IT infrastructure set-up?

Let's approach to what is needed in every organization:

1. Internet connectivity - fast and efficient
2. Reliability of connection - not problem free, but being able to know what is the problem when problem happens
3. Centralized storage for files - not just cloud-based, but a storage solution to maintain knowledge assets of the organization.
4. Backup-backup-backup - a way to have backup, and if possible-an archival backup solution where snapshots of files can be kept for yearly storage
5. Good working machines - of course users are at the center of all that is set-up. No users, then no need for infrastructure.
6. Secure working environment - protection from external malicious attack, and internal accidental actions
7. Audit-trail - having a form of logging to track and trace what happens in the organization
8. Disaster Recovery - what happens when the office gets burned-down? Do we have an operating else-where?
9. Ease of Connectivity for all users - WIFI is now-adays a defacto for all office networks. Mobile devices and BYOD implementations are core to every organizational effectiveness in allowing staff to be productive not just on company assets, but personal as well.
10. Centralized Authentication - People do not want to remember so-so many passwords... give me 1 to rule them all!
11. Presentable outputs - a sufficiently fast and eco friendly tool(s) to print, scan, copy, with the capability to trace... who printed what? 
12. Good Email System - these days, email seems to be linked to mortality. Users can DIE without email.. really?

Thinking about all of these should get an organization started on how IT can stabilize the business processes and then, implement line of business applications to further improve the business efficiency.

Having said that, the infrastructure is critical and having one that is 'open' and expandable is very critical to long-term benefits albeit a slightly costlier set-up.

I will post more in the days to come with the recommended solutions.