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VMware GSX Server 3.2


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Before You Install the Release

There are a few steps you should take — before you install this release — to ensure the best possible experience with the new version.

Virtual machines created with GSX Server 1.x or higher, or Workstation 2.0.x or higher can be run under GSX Server 3. You must upgrade the virtual hardware for any virtual machine created under GSX Server 1 or Workstation 2. You should test the older virtual machines thoroughly under GSX Server 3 before committing to production use in the new environment. Be sure to back up the virtual machines before you begin your tests.

  • Resume and shut down suspended virtual machines.

    • If you plan to use virtual machines created under earlier VMware products, be sure they have been shut down completely before you remove the release you used to create them.

    If the virtual machine is suspended, resume it in the VMware product you used to create it (GSX Server 1 or 2, Workstation 2 or 3), shut down the guest operating system, then power off the virtual machine.

  • For virtual disks created under earlier versions of GSX Server or Workstation, commit or discard changes to virtual disks in undoable mode.

    • If you plan to use existing virtual machines that have disks in undoable mode, commit or discard any changes to the virtual disks before you remove the release you used to create them.

  • Resume or power on the virtual machine in the earlier release, shut down the guest operating system, power off the virtual machine and either commit or discard changes to the undoable disk when prompted.
  • Back up virtual machines.

    • Back up all the files in your virtual machine directories — including the .vmdk or .dsk, .cfg or .vmx and nvram files — for any virtual machines you plan to use under this release.

    Virtual machines updated for full compatibility with GSX Server 3 can be used only with other VMware products beginning with GSX Server 3, Workstation 4 and ESX Server 2, but not under earlier versions of VMware software.

  • Back up the GSX Server software.

    • If you intend to use your older GSX Server software, keep the CD-ROM or ESD installation package handy, or else back up the drive on which GSX Server is currently installed.

    If you need to install the software on the same computer where you now have an earlier version installed, make sure you back up the current installation and the virtual machine files so that you can restore them later.

  • Uninstall any existing version of GSX Server.

    • If you have GSX Server installed, you must uninstall the previous build before installing the new version:

  • To uninstall a previous version of GSX Server 3 or GSX Server 2.x for Windows hosts, see Uninstalling GSX Server on a Windows Host (be sure to reboot your host operating system before installing the software).
  • To uninstall a previous version of GSX Server 3 or GSX Server 2.x for Linux hosts, see Uninstalling GSX Server on a Linux Host.
  • To uninstall GSX Server 1.0 for Windows hosts, see www.vmware.com/support/gsx/doc/uninstall_gsx_win.html.
  • To uninstall GSX Server 1.x for Linux hosts, see www.vmware.com/support/gsx/doc/uninstall_gsx_linux.html.

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