How to Deploy the Forefront Identity Manager 2010 RC1 Demo VHD Image
Deploying the Microsoft Forefront Identity Manager (FIM) 2010 RC1 Demo VHD allows IT professionals to evaluate identity synchronization, user provisioning, and policy management features without building a complex multi-server infrastructure from scratch. This pre-configured Microsoft Hyper-V virtual hard disk image integrates core environment dependencies into a single package. It includes pre-installed versions of Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft Outlook 2007, and the FIM 2010 Service and Portal. Prerequisites and System Requirements
Before starting the deployment, verify the host system meets the necessary virtualization and storage resource allocations.
Host Operating System: Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 with the Hyper-V role enabled.
Processor Requirements: A 64-bit host processor with hardware-assisted virtualization (Intel VT or AMD-V) enabled in the BIOS.
Storage Allocation: At least 40 GB of free hard drive space on a fast storage volume (SSD preferred) to store the extracted VHD.
Memory Allocation: Minimum 4 GB of RAM allocated exclusively to the virtual machine (8 GB or more recommended for optimal performance). Step 1: Download and Extract the VHD Files
The evaluation package consists of multiple self-extracting rar/exe split archives to accommodate large file transfers.
Download all sequential parts of the image (e.g., FIM_2010_RC1_VHD_Oct2009.part01.exe through the final part) into a single directory. Double-click the first executable file (part01.exe). Accept the Microsoft License Agreement when prompted.
Extract the complete .vhd file to your designated virtual hard disk storage directory (e.g., C:\Hyper-V\Virtual Hard Disks</code>). Step 2: Configure the Virtual Network in Hyper-V
To properly simulate identity lifecycle workflows between systems, the virtual machine requires a stable network adapter profile.
Launch the Hyper-V Manager from the Administrative Tools menu.
Click on Virtual Network Manager in the Actions pane on the right.
Select Internal or Private as the network type to isolate the demo environment from your production corporate network.
Click Add Virtual Network, name it FIM_Demo_Network, and click OK. Step 3: Create the FIM 2010 RC1 Virtual Machine
Instead of running an installer, create a new virtual machine wrapper and attach the extracted virtual hard disk.
In Hyper-V Manager, click New > Virtual Machine to open the wizard. Name the virtual machine FIM 2010 RC1 Demo.
Allocate a minimum of 4096 MB of memory to the virtual machine.
On the Configure Networking page, connect the adapter to the FIM_Demo_Network created in Step 2.
On the Connect Virtual Hard Disk page, choose Use an existing virtual hard disk.
Browse to the path where you extracted the FIM_2010_RC1_VHD_Oct2009.vhd file. Review the summary page and click Finish. Step 4: Initialize and Configure the Demo Environment
Once the virtual machine configuration is complete, configure the operating system parameters for first-time use.
Right-click the newly created virtual machine in Hyper-V Manager and select Connect.
Click the Start button in the connection window to boot the image.
The image will boot into a pre-configured Windows Server evaluation operating system.
Log in using the default administrative credentials specified in the Microsoft download documentation (typically provided in an accompanying .txt or .docx readme file).
Allow the system to complete its initial hardware discovery plug-and-play processes. If prompted, restart the virtual machine. Step 5: Verify the FIM 2010 Component Infrastructure
Confirm that the core internal components of the identity management platform are running properly.
Active Directory: Open Active Directory Users and Computers to ensure the demonstration domain accounts are loaded.
FIM Synchronization Service: Launch the Synchronization Service Manager to verify access to the management agent framework.
FIM Portal: Open Internet Explorer inside the virtual machine and navigate to the local SharePoint URL (typically http://localhost/identitymanagement) to access the FIM user interface portal.
If you are exploring specific usage scenarios for this lab deployment, let me know if you would like info on: Forefront Identity Manager 2010 Extensibility Roadmap
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