Defrag for SQL Servers inside a Virtual Machine?

sorry for asking here, since there's no forum for Virtual Server

My question is

We have 2 SQL Server instances on 2 Virtual Machine/Servers (say VM1 and VM2), which resides on a real physical machine (say A)

Is there point in defragging VM1 or VM2's hard drive at all?

or should I just defrag on the physical machine A?

You want to make sure the VMs are down (stopped) then defrag the physical machine. That would be all you need.|||

that's what I thought anyway, first time I defragged without shutting VMs down, I got a blue screen on 1 VM

second time I defragged still without shutting VMs down, everything went smoothly

I guess it's safer to shut down the VMs anyway

Thanks for the answer

Default vs Named instances

I have a server computer named 'X' and I would like to install 2 instances of SQL Server 2005

1. SQLTEST

2. SQLDEV

During installation. if I select Default instance then it will name my sql server instance X . I don't want that. I want to have essentially 2 named instances to make it clear to the users that they are using a test and dev sql server. Whats the best way to do this? I am open to suggestions if there is a different way to do this.

Is it required to have a default instance? Can I have 2 named instances X\SQLDEV and X\SQLTEST?

Also, on the SQLTEST I will be installing reporting services. By not having a default instance will it cause issues for the SSRS installation.

Please help!

Thanks.

You certainly do not need a default instance on your machine. You are fine installing two named instances side-by-side. Essentially, the default instance is merely a named instance that we call "MSSQLSERVER" by default. As for specific RS questions, you may want to search/post in their forum for side-by-side recommendations.

Thanks,
Sam Lester (MSFT)