VMware

This Question is Answered

2 "helpful" answers available (6 pts)
11 Replies Last post: Sep 20, 2007 9:03 AM by esiebert7625  

ESX Cloning posted: Sep 19, 2007 12:39 PM

Click to view homeboy's profile Enthusiast 29 posts since
Sep 19, 2006
I am running ESX Server 3.0.2 Virtual Infrastructure Client 2.0.2 and I can not find a way to clone a VM so I can copy it to another HOST machine. More importantly when I do find this option will there be a way for me to clone only the "used" drive space. In other words, the VM I want to clone was built with a 130GB disk so obviously copying that size file some where will be a challenge

Re: ESX Cloning

1. Sep 19, 2007 12:43 PM in response to: homeboy
Click to view esiebert7625's profile Guru User Moderators vExpert 6,796 posts since
Oct 23, 2006
Use VMware Converter for this, it will let you re-size the drives. Cloning is only a feature if you have VirtualCenter. If you do not you can use Converter or vmkfstools to clone a VM.

Also see this post...
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=754081&#754081

Converter tutorial - http://www.petri.co.il/virtual_convert_physical_machines_to_virtual_machines_with_vmware_converter.htm
Introducing the Next Generation of P2V: Vmware Converter 3.0 - http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9453.pdf
Converter FAQ - http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/faqs.html
Converter 3.0.1 Manual - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/VMware_Converter_manual301.pdf
Converter 3.0.1 Release Notes - http://www.vmware.com/support/converter/doc/releasenotes_conv301.html
Converter Data Sheet - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/converter_datasheet.pdf
Converter download - http://www.vmware.com/download/converter/

Fyi…if you find this post helpful, please award points using the Helpful/Correct buttons.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Thanks, Eric
Visit my website: http://vmware-land.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Re: ESX Cloning

2. Sep 19, 2007 12:51 PM in response to: homeboy
Click to view Dave.Mishchenko's profile Guru User Moderators vExpert 9,179 posts since
Nov 15, 2005
If you end up using vmkfstools, you can use the -d 2gbspare option to create a copy that only contains the data (rather than making a 130 Gb copy of the vmdk). If the destination host is ESX you would then run vmfkstools -i again once you have copied the files over to the server.

vmkfstools -i /source_path/source.vmdk -d 2gbsparse /destination_path/destination.vmdk

Re: ESX Cloning

4. Sep 19, 2007 1:25 PM in response to: homeboy
Click to view esiebert7625's profile Guru User Moderators vExpert 6,796 posts since
Oct 23, 2006
Converter will keep the drive at the size you selected. From that point you can increase it via a variety of methods I have outlined below or you can use Dave's suggestion.

http://vmware-land.com/Resizing_Virtual_Disks.html

Re: ESX Cloning

7. Sep 20, 2007 8:25 AM in response to: homeboy
Click to view iwsmith's profile Novice 7 posts since
Jul 11, 2005
You can use vmkfstools with ESX3. To expand the size of the disk use
vmkfstools -X 130G vmname.vmdk

However this only increases the virtual disk size, not the partitions on that disk. You'd need something like gparted or similar tools to achieve that.

If you're using Converter you should be able to increase the size when you migrate the VM.

Re: ESX Cloning

8. Sep 20, 2007 8:29 AM in response to: homeboy
Click to view esiebert7625's profile Guru User Moderators vExpert 6,796 posts since
Oct 23, 2006
vmkfstools cannot move disk files from ESX server to ESX server you will need to use SCP or WinSCP/FastSCP to do this and then after you copy the file use vmkfstools to import it.

Re: ESX Cloning

9. Sep 20, 2007 8:31 AM in response to: homeboy
Click to view esiebert7625's profile Guru User Moderators vExpert 6,796 posts since
Oct 23, 2006
You can use the methods I provided in the link above or run Converter to clone the VM and increase the disk size to 130GB. Using Converter will essentially create another VM with the new larger disk size. You could then delete the original VM.

Re: ESX Cloning

11. Sep 20, 2007 9:03 AM in response to: homeboy
Click to view esiebert7625's profile Guru User Moderators vExpert 6,796 posts since
Oct 23, 2006
login as root or use "su -" to elevate your login

VMware Beta Programs

Want to be Considered for Future Beta Programs?

Learn More

VMware Developer

Download SDKs, APIs, videos,
training, and more in the Developer community.

Learn More

Developer
Sample Code

Increase your developer productivity with VMware API sample code.

Learn More

VMworld
Sessions & Labs

Online access to the latest VMworld Sessions & Labs and online services.

Learn more

Purchase PSO Credits Online

Purchase credits to redeem training and consulting services online.

Buy Now

Community Hardware Software

View reported configurations or report your own.

Learn More

Only VMware ... Delivers Nexus 1000V

Ensure consistent, policy-based network capabilities to virtual machines across your data center.

Learn More

Communities