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23 Replies Last post: Dec 17, 2008 5:52 AM by stromcooper

VMware Server image to ESX convert failed

Apr 12, 2007 10:08 AM

rweinmann 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

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 10:45 AM

pangchen 2,059 posts since
Nov 15, 2004 VMware

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.

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 10:47 AM

esiebert7625 6,786 posts since
Oct 23, 2006 Moderator

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?

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 11:18 AM

rweinmann 13 posts since
Mar 30, 2006

Hi Pangchen,

I tried that as well. I installed converter on the VMware Server that hosts this VM, and selected the standalone virtual machine import option.

I pointed at the vm's .vmx file, and got the error "Unable to connect to VMware Converter Agent on the local machine". The agent is installed on the VM.

The VM consists of 2 disks, C:, and D:. It is a W2K server SP4.

Thx,

Bob

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 11:26 AM

in response to: esiebert7625

rweinmann 13 posts since
Mar 30, 2006

Hi Esiebert,

The process took about 3-4 minutes to fail. It sat at 5% and then jumped to 97%, and then failed. The VM uses 2 standard disks, not dynamic.

The destination is a standalone ESX server. The ESX server shows the new VM being imported, but then deletes it after the failure. The VM is about 10 GB in size. My datastore has over 190GB free.

Thx,

Bob

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 11:34 AM

in response to: rweinmann

pangchen 2,059 posts since
Nov 15, 2004 VMware

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.

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 11:43 AM

in response to: pangchen

rweinmann 13 posts since
Mar 30, 2006

Thanks, I will try that.

I am assuming that you mean that I should share out the folder containing the VM files, and use the Standalone machine option?

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 11:46 AM

in response to: rweinmann

pangchen 2,059 posts since
Nov 15, 2004 VMware

Yes. You refer to the .vmx using a UNC path.

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 11:56 AM

in response to: rweinmann

esiebert7625 6,786 posts since
Oct 23, 2006 Moderator

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.

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 12:24 PM

in response to: esiebert7625

rweinmann 13 posts since
Mar 30, 2006

Yeah, I was thinking of trying that as plan b.

I am reading up on vmkfstools.

Thx

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 12:31 PM

in response to: rweinmann

esiebert7625 6,786 posts since
Oct 23, 2006 Moderator

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

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 1:13 PM

in response to: esiebert7625

rweinmann 13 posts since
Mar 30, 2006

In a word; sweet!

That worked beautifully. I will use the command line tools to bring in the rest of my vms from VMware Server.

That just leaves getting the converter to work for importing the physical servers that we own.

Thanks much!

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 12, 2007 1:19 PM

in response to: rweinmann

esiebert7625 6,786 posts since
Oct 23, 2006 Moderator

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

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 16, 2007 8:41 AM

in response to: esiebert7625

projectnmt 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.

Reply Re: VMware Server image to ESX convert failed Apr 17, 2007 6:28 AM

in response to: esiebert7625

Kevin_Day 3 posts since
Mar 28, 2007

This works a treat ! Thanks

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