Using Converter at a remote location, how do I import the created VM to ESX4.x

[LeslieLeeJones3]

I am trying to use Converter at a remote location and P2V some servers for relocation to our main office. I know how to use converter to convert directly to the ESX VI but at a remote site I need to save the VM off to an external HD. What is the best selection, VMWare Workstation, Player, etc. to save the P2V as. Once it is saved what is the best method for importing it into the ESX environement?

Thanks,

Lee Jones

[Troy_Clavell]

I would save as VMware Workstaton, and then browse the location to where you want to store the image. Then to convert to ESX(i), you source will be a VMware Workstation or other.... from there browse for your source vmx and continue to process

[PduPreez]

I have not done a P2V as VM workstation but,

The other option is to P2V to the remote ESX(i) hosts.

Then export the VM as OVF to the external Hardrive (makes the VM Size much smaller)

Import the OVF at the location you want.

Also not sure if you have ESX(i) servers available on remote location

Hope it helps

Regards

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[continuum]

Then export the VM as OVF ...

really ? - in my experience OVF is the most unreliable way to carry vmdks around.

I would use the 2gbsparse split format instead - same space-savings as with OVF but every VMware platform can handle it.

With OVF you lose a lot of time as you have to test if it can be imported by the target platform - you can't take that for granted .

The 2Gbsparse format just works - always.

It can be imported to all ESX versions via vmkfstools - and Converter can create it as well ... use the import to Workstation option and make sure you select the split growing output type.When importing that split disk into ESX converter is not required at all - as it can be simply imported with vmkfstools.




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