Hi All,
I want to perform a virtual to virtual machine conversion task.
I have a virtual machine which is up and running in one data center, i require the
same virtual machine in the other data center.
As i can not migrate or Clone a vm from one DC to other.
I will have to go for virtual to virtual machine conversion.
Please give me the steps to be followed to perform v to v conversion.
I hope in V to V conversion the configuration files will be copied from one datacenter
to other data center over the network...Is this understanding correct?
Also how about the data of the VM,Will i be able to get the same data on the
VM as it was on parent datacenter after v to v.
What will be approximate time to convert if VM Holds data of 80GB.
Please let me know the steps..Thanks in advance.
I can give you good solution then v to v in your case. plz give the details for the following
how many VM's you have to copy to anothe datacenter?
appox size of all VM's to be copied?
network bandwidth b/w your source ESX to VI client and
network bandwidth between destination ESX on another datacenter to VI client?
regards
Manic
If it is only one VM with approx 80 GB
step 1
then just connect to the ESX server on which the VM running using VI client
power off the VM
browse to the Datastore download the entire VM folder from datastore to local machine or to network location which has enough space
then
step 2
connect to the destination ESX through VI client
browse to the datastore and upload the entire VM folder which you copied
it will take 2 to 4 hours if you have 1Gbps link
reagrds
Manic
step 3
from the distination ESX, browse to .vmx file inside the VM folder which you copied and right click the .vmx file and select add to inventory as shown
continue with the add to inventory steps and finish
thats is it. you can access the same VM as you access from the first dataCenter with the same data
while power on it at first time you will receive the following dialog box where you sellect
I copied it and press ok
Note :--
if your VM is a windows VM and it is already a member of domain. you to run sysprep to change change UUID and also have to give new computer name to the VM on the destination datacenter
regards
Manic
Dear rmanic,
really appriciate your help.
I know how to add a vm to inventory using the .vmx file.
The option will be good but i heard that we can do v to v migration also,i mean to say we can run a wizard in destination datacenter where we want the vm to be copied, it will copy my all vm config. files to destination esx and then we can add it to inventory.
Do you know how can we run this wizard.Thanks,
Abhi
ok
you can do it by any of the following way
1. using vCenter Converter (for vSphere infrastructure)
2.Virtual Center Converter enterprise (for VI 3)
3. VMware-converter standalone.
all are free
for first two should have vCenter Server
Procedure for first two method
1. install vcenter converter available with vCenter Server installation suite (for VI3 you can download it from vmware )
2. once completed the installation login to vCenter through VI client. you will be have vCenter Converter plugin. download and install
3. once completed the plugin installation you will have import machine option when you right click either datacenter or the ESX server. 
4. follow the import machine wizard to complete your requirement.
reagrds
Manic
Dear Manic,
Thanks for prompt response, Your points are helpful,now i understood the way i can take one vm from one dc to other.
Actually in my environment we have a vcenter but i have never used vconverter.
Does vconverter comes with vcenter or it requires a seperate licence.
Can i install vconverter in a production environment free of cost if i have licenced esx and vcenters.
Also do we have any other options to do this other then vconverter.If yes please suggest that.
Thanks..
Rgds,
Abhi
vCenter Converter is free to use with vCenter Server. you no need to buy additional License. you can use it in production environment as you already have license for vCenter Server.
you can also use VMware Converter Standalone if you not wish to install vCenter Converter on vCenter Server. it is also free to use in production.
you can download VMware Converter Standalone from Vmware download site and install it on any XP or 2003 physical or virtual machine.
while do installation chose local installation on the following screen.
once you completed the installation it will place a converter standalone client on your desktop.you can use it to do conversion.
regards
Manic
This document was generated from the following thread: How to covert V to V
