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1 2 Previous Next 23 Replies Last post: Dec 17, 2008 5:52 AM by stromcooper  

VMware Server image to ESX convert failed posted: Apr 12, 2007 10:08 AM

Click to view rweinmann's profile Novice 13 posts since
Mar 30, 2006
I am trying to convert/import a Win2k Server vm running on VMware Server to my ESX 3.01 Server. I am using the starter version of Converter.

I installed the Converter and agent locally on the vm to be imported. I started the import process, but it failed at 97% with an unknown error returned by VMware converter agent.

What am I doing wrong? Is this the best way to migrate a VMware Server vm to ESX?

Thx,

Bob

Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed

1. Apr 12, 2007 10:45 AM in response to: rweinmann
Click to view pangchen's profile Virtuoso 2,059 posts since
Nov 15, 2004
Try installing Converter on a Windows 2003 machine and point to the VM in question's .vmx file while the VM is powered off. Select "standalone virtual machine" to find the .vmx.

Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed

2. Apr 12, 2007 10:47 AM in response to: rweinmann
Click to view esiebert7625's profile Guru 6,794 posts since
Oct 23, 2006
To start with look at the log file to find the reason that it failed, it is located in %windir%\temp\vmware-temp. Did it reach 97% quickly or did it take a while? Are you using dynamic disks or multiple disks? Is you destination a ESX server directly or VirtualCenter?

Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed

5. Apr 12, 2007 11:34 AM in response to: rweinmann
Click to view pangchen's profile Virtuoso 2,059 posts since
Nov 15, 2004
It could be that your Converter installation is incomplete. Try installing it completely on another Windows 2000 or 2003 machine on the same network and then point to the VM in question.

Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed

7. Apr 12, 2007 11:46 AM in response to: rweinmann
Click to view pangchen's profile Virtuoso 2,059 posts since
Nov 15, 2004
Yes. You refer to the .vmx using a UNC path.

Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed

8. Apr 12, 2007 11:56 AM in response to: rweinmann
Click to view esiebert7625's profile Guru 6,794 posts since
Oct 23, 2006
You can always just use WinSCP to copy the vmdk file to ESX and then use vmkfstools -i to convert it to vmfs3 format. Then create a new VM and tell it to use an existing disk and select the converted vmdk file.

Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed

10. Apr 12, 2007 12:31 PM in response to: rweinmann
Click to view esiebert7625's profile Guru 6,794 posts since
Oct 23, 2006
It's pretty straightforward.

1) Use WinSCP or FastSCP to copy the file to a directory on the server
2) Login to ESX server
3) cd /vmfs/volumes/MyVolume/MyServer
4) vmkfstools -i Win2ksource.vmdk Win2Knew.vmdk
5) Once conversion is complete you can delete the original Win2ksource.vmdk
6) Create a new VM, tell it to use existing and browse to /vmfs/volumes/MyVolume/MyServer/Win2Knew.vmdk

Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed

12. Apr 12, 2007 1:19 PM in response to: rweinmann
Click to view esiebert7625's profile Guru 6,794 posts since
Oct 23, 2006
No problem, if you want to throw a few points my way by clicking the Helpful and/or Correct buttons that would be appreciated....thanks

Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed

13. Apr 16, 2007 8:41 AM in response to: esiebert7625
Click to view projectnmt's profile Novice 4 posts since
Apr 16, 2007
I was having problems with VMWare Converter - "Unable to determine guest operating system" on a Win 2003 Server running on VMWare Workstation.

This approach worked a treat - importing to ESX 3.0.1

Thanks.

Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed

14. Apr 17, 2007 6:28 AM in response to: esiebert7625
Click to view Kevin_Day's profile Lurker 3 posts since
Mar 28, 2007
This works a treat ! Thanks :D

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