@Carnival-Boy Cool, I'll look into that.

If I was going to try a P2V of this server, what would be the best way to go about it?

1. I could consider a cold clone (the only disc I have available to try this is the VMware cold clone 3.0.3 disc; not sure if that will work or not)
2. Another option I was considering is installing VMware Standalone Converter, then booting into DSRM mode and performing the P2V. Once the server was successfully converted, I'd shutdown the existing server, fire up the virtual, and make sure the IP was the same.

Thoughts on these options, or other possibilities?

Well, after all the things I've done since starting this thread, the IP is holding steady as the correct static IP it should be. I'll double-check one more time on Monday morning, but I have a feeling it's good to go now.

The IP is finally holding steady! Thanks for the feedback guys!

The lock screen is and can be different. I have our stations setup to use a custom image for the lock screen, and a custom image for the desktop wallpaper.

I apply the lock screen very similar to the way you do:
A custom image located here:
C:\Windows\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds\backgroundDefault.jpg

AND using an accompanying registry key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background]
"OEMBackground"=dword:00000001

I apply the wallpaper like this:
A GPO (settings "enabled"):
Computer Configuration \ Policies \ Administrative Templates \ System/Group Policy \ "Configure user Group Policy loopback processing mode" = Enabled (Merge)

User Conifguration \ Policies \ Administrative Templates \ Control Panel/Personalization \ "Prevent changing desktop background" = Enabled

User Conifguration \ Policies \ Administrative Templates \ Desktop/Desktop \ "Desktop Wallpaper" = Enabled (C:\Windows\lmi_deskwall.jpg / Wallpaper Style: Stretch)

My last two cents: The registry value needs to be set to "1" in order to force the custom lock screen image.

@scottalanmiller said in Advice on Current Infrastructure and Possible New VM Host Server:

In purchasing the new machine, drop the MSA and go to local storage.

Definitely! I learned that from you many months ago ;). I was thinking about going with something like a R730 with 12 x 2TB drives (10 on RAID 10 with 2 hot spares).