Minisforum MS-A2 Hyper-V to Proxmox 9.0 Migration Minisforum MS-A2 Series Part 15 Ultimate #homelab
In this episode of Hancock’s VMware Half Hour, I walk you through migrating Hyper-V virtual machines to Proxmox 9.0 on the Minisforum MS-A2.
We’ll cover connecting to the Proxmox server via SSH, exploring datastores, working with VHDX files, and running migration demos—including moving a full VM in under 60 seconds! This step-by-step guide shows how easy it is to transition workloads from Hyper-V into Proxmox for your #homelab or production environment.
Whether you’re testing, learning, or planning a migration, this video gives you the tools and knowledge to make it happen smoothly.
Scripts are here on GitHub – https://github.com/einsteinagogo/Hyper-VtoProxmoxMigration.git
Minisforum MS-A2 Windows Server 2025 Driver Fix Minisforum MS-A2 Series Part 13 Ultimate #homelab
In this episode of the Minisforum MS-A2 Ultimate #homelab series, I walk you through fixing missing drivers in Windows Server 2025 on the MINISFORUM MS-A2. From troubleshooting Device Manager issues to installing the AMD chipset drivers, PSP device, SMBus controller, GPU drivers, and Microsoft Pluton driver, this video will help you get your MS-A2 running smoothly on Server 2025.
Along the way, I also highlight some community contributions, share key tips like disabling power saving mode, and test the latest AMD Software: PRO Edition 25.Q2 for GPU support.
What you’ll learn in this video:
How to fix missing drivers in Windows Server 2025 on the Minisforum MS-A2
Which drivers are required: AMD PSP, SMBus, GPU, Microsoft Pluton
Why you must disable power saving mode for stability
How to install AMD Software: PRO Edition 25.Q2 for GPU support
Special thanks to the community:
LoCo (Scott Fell) for the T-shirt
Jason Macialek
Mark Howell
Perfect for homelab enthusiasts, VMware users, and anyone testing Windows Server 2025 on Minisforum MS-A2.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more VMware + homelab content from Hancock’s VMware Half Hour!
Barebone Minisforum MS-A2 https://amzn.to/3GEoiOA
Crucial DDR5 RAM 96GB Kit (2x48GB) 5600MHz SODIMM https://amzn.to/3Uatfl4
Crucial DDR5 RAM 128GB Kit (2x64GB) 5600MHz SODIMM,https://amzn.to/3Uhef4U
Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink https://amzn.to/4ePjYsr
Crucial P310 NVMe 1TB 2230 M.2 SSD https://amzn.to/44x055Y
NFHK M.2(A+E Key) 2230MM to NVME M-Key Extension Card Adapter for Motherboard NVME SSD Hard Drive Port Extension 2230/2242/2260/2280MM https://amzn.to/3Ix7rxz
MINISFORUM DEG1 Docking Station, PCIe x16 (PCIe4.0x4), Force Power On, ATX/SFX Power https://amzn.to/41pIYAQ
Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Hancock’s VMware Half Hour
Enjoying the content? Support me with an espresso coffee! Buy Me an Espresso Coffee! – https://buymeacoffee.com/einsteinagogo
Donate – https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AndrewHancock
Want to support British beekeeping? Get RAW PURE honey here! https://meltonbyhoney.com/ Sorry UK only, unless demand increases to international destinations!
Welcome to Hancock’s VMware Half Hour! In this episode of the Minisforum MS-A2 Series – Part 12 Ultimate #homelab, we take the compact but powerful MS-A2 and push it to the limits by installing VMware vCenter Server 9.0 on ESXi 9.
From installation to configuration and performance benchmarks, I’ll walk you through every step — including DNS setup, deployment options, datastore selection, and SSO configuration. We’ll also run boot speed benchmarks to see just how fast vCenter Server 9.0 can run on the MS-A2. Spoiler: it’s blazing fast! ? It’s on FIRE !
If you’re thinking of building a small, efficient, and powerful #homelab capable of enterprise-level virtualization, this is the video for you.
Minisforum MS-A2 Can it Play Doom The Dark Ages Minisforum MS-A2 Series Part 8 Ultimate #homelab
DOOM: The Dark Ages Demo on a Minisforum MS-A2 + RTX 3090 eGPU!? ?
You read that right — I’ve upgraded the tiny Minisforum MS-A2 with a serious punch: an OcuLink-connected eGPU dock and a NVIDIA RTX 3090. Now the question is… can it finally handle DOOM: The Dark Ages?
In this video, I run the DOOM: The Dark Ages demo on this mini PC beast-hybrid and test just how much performance you can squeeze out of a small form-factor PC when paired with high-end external graphics.
?? System Setup:
Minisforum MS-A2 (Ryzen AI Mini PC)
Minisforum eGPU Dock with OcuLink
NVIDIA RTX 3090 GPU
128GB RAM, NVMe SSD
Windows 11
? What You’ll See:
Full DOOM: The Dark Ages demo gameplay
Performance stats, FPS, temps
Commentary on eGPU setup, compatibility, and bottlenecks
Was it worth upgrading the MS-A2 with an RTX 3090?
? Have questions about the eGPU dock, OcuLink, or the MS-A2? Drop them in the comments!
? Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications if you love seeing small PCs pushed to the limit.
Purchase a #homelab here
Barebone Minisforum MS-A2 https://amzn.to/3GEoiOA
Crucial DDR5 RAM 96GB Kit (2x48GB) 5600MHz SODIMM https://amzn.to/3Uatfl4
Crucial DDR5 RAM 128GB Kit (2x64GB) 5600MHz SODIMM,https://amzn.to/3Uhef4U
Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink https://amzn.to/4ePjYsr
Crucial P310 NVMe 1TB 2230 M.2 SSD https://amzn.to/44x055Y
NFHK M.2(A+E Key) 2230MM to NVME M-Key Extension Card Adapter for Motherboard NVME SSD Hard Drive Port Extension 2230/2242/2260/2280MM https://amzn.to/3Ix7rxz
MINISFORUM DEG1 Docking Station, PCIe x16 (PCIe4.0x4), Force Power On, ATX/SFX Power https://amzn.to/41pIYAQ
Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Hancock’s VMware Half Hour
? Enjoying the content? Support me with an espresso coffee! ? Buy Me an Espresso Coffee! – https://buymeacoffee.com/einsteinagogo
Donate – https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Andre…
? Want to support British beekeeping? Get RAW PURE honey here! ?https://meltonbyhoney.com/ Sorry UK only, unless demand increases to international destinations!
In today’s video, I ask the age-old question: Can it run DOOM?
Spoiler: Classic DOOM (1993)? Oh yeah — it runs great. Smooth, fast, and just as demon-slaying as ever.
DOOM: The Dark Ages though? ? …Well, that’s a different story.
I test out the Minisforum MS-A2, a compact mini PC powered by AMD’s latest tech, to see how it handles both the original retro shooter and the upcoming next-gen entry in the DOOM franchise. From pixelated corridors to modern hellscapes, how far can this tiny system go?
Specs Overview:
CPU: AMD Ryzen™ 9 9955HX
GPU: AMD 610 Radeon Graphics 2GB
RAM/Storage: 128GB RAM/Samsung 990 PRO 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD
What You’ll See:
Running Classic DOOM
Attempting to tackle DOOM: The Dark Ages
Honest performance impressions
A few laughs along the way
Purchase a #homelab here
Barebone Minisforum MS-A2 https://amzn.to/3GEoiOA
Crucial DDR5 RAM 96GB Kit (2x48GB) 5600MHz SODIMM https://amzn.to/3Uatfl4
Crucial DDR5 RAM 128GB Kit (2x64GB) 5600MHz SODIMM,https://amzn.to/3Uhef4U
Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink https://amzn.to/4ePjYsr
Crucial P310 NVMe 1TB 2230 M.2 SSD https://amzn.to/44x055Y
NFHK M.2(A+E Key) 2230MM to NVME M-Key Extension Card Adapter for Motherboard NVME SSD Hard Drive Port Extension 2230/2242/2260/2280MM https://amzn.to/3Ix7rxz
Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Hancock’s VMware Half Hour
Enjoying the content? Support me with an espresso coffee! ? Buy Me an Espresso Coffee! – https://buymeacoffee.com/einsteinagogo
Donate – https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AndrewHancock
Want to support British beekeeping? Get RAW PURE honey here! ?https://meltonbyhoney.com/ Sorry UK only, unless demand increases to international destinations!
In Part 6 of the Minisforum MS-A2 Series, we show you how to migrate VMware ESXi Virtual Machines (VMs) to Microsoft Hyper-V on Windows Server 2025 — using the powerful and compact Minisforum MS-A2 as the ultimate homelab platform.
This video features Veeam Backup & Replication v12.3 to safely back up your ESXi VMs and restore them directly to Hyper-V. It’s a clean and efficient migration method for anyone exploring life after VMware.
Whether you’re planning a full platform switch or testing a hybrid setup, you’ll find practical, step-by-step guidance from backup to restore — with key gotchas and tips throughout.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Preparing VMware ESXi VMs for migration
Creating backups using Veeam v12.3
Restoring backups to Microsoft Hyper-V
Configuring networking, storage, and integration services
Post-migration testing and optimization
Real-world advice for homelabbers and IT professionals
Perfect for #homelab enthusiasts, sysadmins, and IT pros evaluating alternatives to VMware.
Got questions or want to share your experience? Drop a comment below!
Like this video if it helped you
Subscribe and hit the bell to follow the full MS-A2 homelab journey
As an avid enthusiast of VMware’s innovations, I’m diving headfirst into the ESXi ARM Fling v2.0, which is built on the robust VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 8.0.3b codebase. The ARM architecture has always intrigued me, and with this latest version, VMware has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with ESXi on ARM devices. It’s a playground full of potential for anyone experimenting with lightweight, power-efficient infrastructures.
The Turing Pi Journey
After much anticipation, my Turing Pi Mini ITX boards have arrived! These boards are compatible with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, offering a modular, scalable setup perfect for ARM experimentation. With a few Compute Module 4s ready to go, I’m eager to bring this setup to life. However, finding a suitable case for the Turing Pi board has proven to be a bit of a challenge.
Case Conundrum
While Turing Pi has announced an official ITX case for their boards, it’s currently on preorder and comes with a hefty price tag. For now, I’ve decided to go with a practical and versatile option: the Streamcom Mini ITX OpenBench case. Its open-frame design is functional, and it’ll keep the board accessible during testing and configuration.
I’m also considering crafting my own custom case. Using laser-cut wood or acrylic is an appealing option, offering the opportunity to create something unique and tailored to my specific requirements. But for now, the OpenBench case will do nicely as I explore the ESXi ARM Fling.
Why ESXi ARM Fling v2.0?
The ESXi ARM Fling project is an exciting venture for anyone who loves to experiment with virtualization. Running ESXi on ARM hardware offers several advantages:
Energy efficiency: ARM boards consume far less power compared to traditional x86 systems.
Cost-effectiveness: Affordable hardware like the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 makes it accessible to a wider audience.
Flexibility: The compact form factor of ARM devices is ideal for edge computing, IoT, or even small-scale home labs.
The v2.0 update introduces enhanced support, better performance, and bug fixes, making it an excellent choice for exploring the ARM ecosystem.
What’s Next?
With the hardware in hand and the ESXi ARM Fling v2.0 ready to install, I’m planning to dive into:
Setting up and configuring the Turing Pi board with ESXi.
Testing the system’s stability, performance, and scalability using multiple Raspberry Pi Compute Modules.
Exploring practical use cases, such as lightweight Kubernetes clusters or edge computing applications.
I’ll share updates on the build process, challenges, and performance insights in future posts. For now, I’m excited to get started and see what this setup can achieve.
Stay tuned for more! If you’ve experimented with the ESXi ARM Fling or have tips for working with the Turing Pi board, I’d love to hear from you.
On 4th October 2024, we bid farewell to a cherished tool in the VMware community—VMware Skyline Advisor Pro. After years of serving IT administrators and engineers in identifying and resolving issues before they could disrupt operations, this beloved tool is reaching the end of its journey. While its departure marks the closing of a chapter, the legacy it leaves behind will be remembered for its innovative contributions to proactive VMware support.
A Look Back: The Role of Skyline Advisor Pro
VMware Skyline Advisor Pro was more than just a tool—it was a companion for those navigating the complex landscapes of VMware environments. Introduced as an enhancement over the standard Skyline Advisor, the “Pro” version provided advanced insights into potential vulnerabilities and configuration issues. This proactive approach helped IT teams save countless hours and avoid major incidents, allowing businesses to run smoother with fewer disruptions.
One of its most valued features was its real-time, data-driven recommendations. With its ability to analyze telemetry data, the tool provided critical security advisories and performance recommendations. The integrated integration with VMware’s support services made the overall experience even more seamless, allowing businesses to stay ahead of potential issues while reducing downtime and operational costs.
Skyline Advisor Pro was there when we needed it, always scanning, always optimizing.
The End of an Era
VMware announced that Skyline Advisor Pro would reach its End of Life (EOL) in October 2024. For many of us, it’s like saying goodbye to an old friend. As IT professionals, we have come to rely on it for both routine monitoring and critical insights. Its departure means we must now look to alternative solutions and adapt to a future without Skyline.
In Memoriam: The Song “Goodbye VMware Skyline Advisor Pro”
To mark this moment and pay homage to what Skyline Advisor Pro has meant to the VMware community, Andysworld! created a heartfelt tribute—his new song titled “Goodbye VMware Skyline Advisor Pro.”
The song captures the emotions of this bittersweet farewell, reflecting the reliability, trust, and proactive support that Skyline Advisor Pro provided. Through the lyrics and melody, Andy has crafted a personal expression of gratitude toward a tool that, for so long, kept our infrastructure safe and sound.
“Goodbye VMware Skyline Advisor Pro” symbolizes not just the end of a tool but also the beginning of new innovations to come. As one door closes, the VMware ecosystem will continue to evolve, finding new ways to support IT teams across the globe.
Looking Ahead
While the EOL of VMware Skyline Advisor Pro is sad for those of us who relied on it, it’s also a reminder that technology is always changing. As VMware pushes the boundaries of what’s possible, we can look forward to the next generation of tools and solutions that will help us manage our environments.
For now, we take a moment to reflect on Skyline Advisor Pro’s contributions and listen to Andy’s musical tribute as we say our goodbyes.
Here’s to the future, and here’s to never forgetting what made Skyline Advisor Pro special. Goodbye, old friend.
![[Valid RSS]](http://andysworld.org.uk/images/valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")