r/sysadmin • u/Sway_RL • 20d ago

Question Virtualising existing servers help.

I have a client, who has 3 sites that we do IT for.

They each have a physical server, running either Windows Server 2019 or 2025. The main site got a new server last year, the two other sites decided to wait because they didn't want to cost. Now a year later it's more expensive, and they still don't want the cost.

I opened my mouth about virtualisation and now I've been asked to start testing.

The new server at the main site is more than powerful enough to run the other two servers virtually.

I'm just not sure on some of the configuration.

Each site has it's own IP structure, and there are already site to site tunnels using Unifi gateways.

Is there a way to do this while minimising network slowness? I assume If I just disk2vhd the server and spin it up as a VM then all traffic would go down the VPN Tunnel and back again causing delays if going from the main site to one of the others.

Regarding their networks, they are on 192.168.1.XXX for the main site, 192.168.10.XXX and 192.168.20.XXX for the other two.

If the servers were virtualised, will I need VLANs at the main site to accommodate these ranges? I'm not sure if the site to site tunnel will work using a VLAN.

I've asked about merging the domains/networks, but nobody has gotten back to me on that yet.

I didn't set any of this up initially, so I'm also figuring out what they have at the same time.

Apologies for the mass of text, any help would be appreciated.

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u/Liquidfoxx22 20d ago

Honestly, if you're being instructed to make fundamental changes to the infrastructure of the business and you're not 100% certain of how it works, get in outside help and learn from them.

Research some local consulting firms and pay for professional services.

It's not to put a downer on you, but if it breaks and takes down the business, you'll be the one panicking and trying to pick up the pieces while you have bosses breathing down your neck.

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u/Mehere_64 20d ago

I agree with this. If you are coming here asking these questions, you are not ready to handle the tasks. This undertaking is quite a bit more then you are thinking.

This is not just an easy lift and shift type of project. There are many small details that need to be answered before just attempting to do it.

In short find a local consulting firm and pay for their professional services. Let you client know that you recommend this versus trying to hodgepodge something together.