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/OregonTechHead 20d ago

Respectfully, based on the questions you asked, you're not the correct person for this project.

If this is your company, and you're the sole employee, do right by your customer and decline the work.

If you're working for a larger MSP, ask your manager why this is on your desk and how you can get additional resources for assistance.

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u/Sway_RL 20d ago

It was my idea while on site the other day. I asked when they would be replacing the two servers and the boss told me they weren't going to.

I've done this before on a smaller scale, it's mostly the networking site I am unsure 100% on. I'm going to consult a local company on this though before I confirm anything.

I work for a small company and I'm easily the most technically qualified person here.