Moving VM from one host to another ESXi

[wayneb14]

Hi All

Quick question, If i wanted to move a VM hosted on one ESXi server to another ESXi server what is the simplest way? Do I have to use converter to do it?

Thanks

[schepp]

If you don't have vCenter, you could simply shut down the vm, log into the esx server via ssh and copy the vm over to the second esxi using scp

e.g.:

scp -r /vmfs/volumes/volume1/path/to/vm-directory esx2:/vmfs/volumes/volume1

Regards

[chasecrum]

This will depend on what version of ESXi you're using.

The easiest way is to find the virtual instance and highlight it, then

export the instance (file>virtual appliance>export). This will download

the instance in a folder to where you are viewing it from. then just

reverse the process in import. I am not sure if this works in all

versions but I do know it works up until 3i (3.5.0)

-Chase

[wayneb14]

ESXi 4.1 (Vsphere Hypervisor)

So have Free Vmware Vsphere Client

Regards

[jeanes]

If you are using vCenter, the easiest way is: right-click vm, migrate, move to another Host, step through the rest of the steps.

[ABDJBR]

Hi ,

you have one of two option :

- install vCenter and move the VM from ESX host to another via vMotion ( ofcourse you have to connect to the vCenter using VI client and Manage both hosts via this vCenter )

- or use VMware Converter without ( in this case you don't need vCenter installed ) but in this case you will need to power down your VM , while in the first option you can do that without the hastle

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

ESXi 4.1 (Vsphere Hypervisor)

So have Free Vmware Vsphere Client

In this case options are:

• Standalone converter
  
• Datastore browser (download and upload files)
  
• SCP or FastSCP and then add the VM to the inventory with datastore browser
  

[akreitman]

We have a slightly different problem.  We have an ESX system that we're planning to us to create and configure VMs.   We want to then copy those VMs to ESXi systems that will be distributed as demo systems on private networks that may or may not have internet access.  Assume the same release level on both systems.  Those systems will be managed with the perl/power shell command line tools and scripts.  We need to copy the vms, their file systems and snapshots.   Is there any special magic we need to do beyond scp?

Thanks

[AndreTheGiant]

To use SCP you must enable SSH and root access.

To use FastSCP see Veeam docs.

Andre

[ABDJBR]

if you are using the same version of ESX & ESXi then managing those host with vCenter will offer you vMotion which will be the easiest way to migrate from one host to another rapidlly please check the link : http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/VMware-VMotion-DS-EN.pdf

[akreitman]

We're not using vCenter.   Its too heavy for our requirements, too many prerequsites for a simple system that will consist of a SINGLE EXS system and a single ESXi system that will be running a half dozen (the same on both) vms.  We're deploying identical copies of the ESXi system by simple disk imaging.   Think simple, not the job security enhancing complicated.

[ABDJBR]

if you can afford downtime then you have a very simple time consuming solution : " Copy the VM files from one Host to another using SCP or using Datastore Browsing "

[akreitman]

These aren't production systems, so downtime issue don't exist.   Back to the question, beyond copying them, is there any other special magic I'll need to do?

[ABDJBR]

you will need to change the network config on both source and dest VMs if they are power on in the same time , and there is another suggestion which in my openiun better than the SCP method and will not require any Prequisties vmware standalone convertor also in this method you will not need to modify any thing if you have a DHCP server on the network

[tinovarghese]

enable vmotion and right click on ESX migrate host to another ESX ( Net work name should  same otherwise can't migrate )