Installing Windows 2012 Server on VMware Workstation

Installing Windows 2012 Server on VMware Workstation

Below are the screen shots that walk you through the process of installing Windows Server 8 Beta on VMware Workstation 8.

Windows Server 2012

From Wikipedia

Windows Server 2012, formerly codenamed Windows Server 8, is the next release of Windows Server currently under development by Microsoft. It is the server version of Windows 8 and the successor to Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows Server 2012 will be the first version of Windows Server to have no support for Itanium-based computers since Windows NT 4.0.

Features

Windows Server 2012 includes a number of new features or feature changes.

User interface 

Server Manager has been redesigned with an emphasis on easing management of multiple servers. The operating system, like Windows 8, uses the Metro UI when not installed in Server Core mode^. Windows PowerShell in this version has over 2300 commandlets, compared with around 200 in Windows Server 2008 R2. There is also command auto-completion.

Task Manager

Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 include a new version of Windows Task Manager together with the old version. In the new version, the tabs are hidden by default, showing applications. In the new Processes tab, the processes are displayed in various shades of yellow, with darker shades representing heavier resource use. It lists application names, application status, and overall utilization data for CPU, memory, hard disk, and network resources, moving the process information found in the older Task Manager to the new Details tab.

Installation options 

 

Unlike its predecessor, Windows Server 2012 can switch between Server Core and the GUI (full) installation options without a full re installation. There is also a new third installation option that allows MMC and Server Manager to run, but without Windows Explorer or the other parts of the normal GUI shell.

More features HERE

Installation Steps

We will be using VMware Workstation 8.0.3 for this installation. You can grab a 60 day trial of VMware Workstation from HERE

From the "New Virtual Machine" Wizard, select Custom and click Next



Select the type of Hardware as Workstation 8.0



Browse for the Windows 2012 ISO File on your machine. You can download it from HERE



Take note, I choose Windows 7, NOT Windows 7 64-bit. I’m not sure it matters, but I believe this will work best for you.

The download is pre-licensed, so you don’t have to enter anything here. However, this will cause problems later if you don’t disconnect the floppy.



ignore the Windows Product Key warning prompt and select Yes to continue







Specify at least 2 GB of RAM, however if you have RAM, then don't be shy.. provide upto 4 GB..



I am using a Bridged Network for this VM. You can select your own choice as per your requirements.



Select LSI Logic SAS as the SCSI Controller for the VM





We will Create a New Virtual Disk



Select SCSI 





Specify 60 GB for the HDD size.





Click Customize Hardware
Choose the processor that matches your host and enable Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT (your processor must support this) if you want to run the Hyper-V role on this server.



Make sure you un-select “Power on this virtual machine after creation”, we need to edit one more thing before we continue.



After you create the VM, go back in and disconnect the Floppy, otherwise the install will fail because the autoinst.flp is missing the product key.




Your final VM settings should look similar to this



Once the VM is powered on, select Install to start the installation process.



Select your flavor of OS installation. Windows Server 2012 comes with two flavors: with a GUI and a simple Server Core Installation. We will install it with GUI as its easier to use.



Accept the License terms and conditions



The installation will start up as shown. This will take some time so go get yourself some coffee !!!



A long while later after a few reboots… You will have to provide the Administrator Password



Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to sign in



Provide your Administrator Password as done in the earlier step



The Server Manager will pop up automatically and you should be ready to get started with your Windows 2012 Server..



The next step is just to install VMware Tools and get this VM fully functional..

Enjoy and keep VMware-ing !!
References: http://www.yoyoclouds.com/2012/06/installing-windows-2012-server-on.html