Vmware - Moving/Copying Vm(S) To To A Greater Extent Than Or Less Other Host Server.

These few days I direct maintain received an gild to upgrade an existing VM amongst higher retentivity capacity inwards gild to grapple amongst workload.

Sadly the host (eg. ESXi-1) which the VM is running on direct maintain used all the maximum available retentivity therefore a novel server must last acquired.

Now the problems arises where the customer didn't direct maintain whatever vCenter server therefore there's vMotion was non available for the task. After some studies inwards VMware's KB articles, at that topographic point is a agency to deed a VM from 1 host to some other host regardless of the hardware specifications.

But for me to play it at a prophylactic side, I ensure the novel server is installed amongst the same ESXi version as well as the VM must last shutdown for this procedure (yes, at that topographic point is downtime on this).

So I become a temporary desktop (Windows 7) & install vSphere Client as well as an extra 1TB of HDD, what VMware recommended inwards their website is to role vSphere Client to perform the migration as well as the next steps was done past times myself.

1. Run defragment on that VM.
2. Ensure no ane is using that VM anymore (a scheduled downtime required) & shutdown the VM.
3. Browse to that detail "Datastore" where the VM is located as well as download the entire folder into the extra 1TB HDD amongst the same folder structure.

* Proper & expert downtime administration is required hither every bit the procedure took to a greater extent than or less 6-12 hours to complete.

Now ane time the download complete, I perform the next :-

1. Ensuring the VM is no longer ability on automatically on ESXi-1 server & stays shutdown.
2. Comparing the file sizes on ESXi-1 server & the downloaded copy.
3. Now ensure the novel server is railroad train (eg. ESXi-2) amongst sufficient storage infinite for the "Datastore".
4. Start uploading the entire folder from the local re-create to ESXi-2 datastore.

* This procedure volition also direct maintain like times to complete, as well as then last patient.

Once the upload is consummate yous demand to "add into inventory" inwards gild for the ESXi-2 server to recognised it every bit a VM.

1. At ESXi-2 server, browse to the "Datastore" where the novel VM has uploaded.
2. Select the VM's folder as well as search for "xxx.vmx" file.
3. Right-click the "xxx.vmx" file --> Select "Add to inventory" pick as well as await for it to complete.
4. Open the VM Console as well as yous volition have a prompt message, choose --> "I deed it" option.
5. Once completed, yous may forthwith startup that VM.

Overall, this procedure took me well-nigh ii days to complete. So delight create conception the downtime correctly as well as sufficiently.

Share this post