Transferring a VM from One Host to Another on Totally Separate Networks

[cliffhammock]

I feel like I have a fairly straightforward use case, but can't get the confirmation I need to move forward with a project. I have a client that has a website running on a VMware virtual machine. They want me to take a copy of the VM, in some format, to another totally separate location that is not connected in any way and setup a disaster recovery site with a copy of the VM. It will be a warm site and not mirror the production site. In the event that the primary site goes down, I can get a last known good backup copy of the VM from the client and place it on the host at the disaster recovery site and start up production there. If I can't get a copy of a good VM, I could get a copy of the database that contains the latest data.

I have read numerous articles where people describe using the Export to Open Virtual Machine Format (OVF) to create a file(s) that can be transported to another location and then deployed on the new host. I am trying to get clarification on whether or not I can do this if the machines are not connected in any way. Here is one of the articles I read.

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2058684

Export vCenter Server as an Open Virtual Machine Format (OVF):

Connect the vSphere Client to the ESXi/ESX host running the vCenter Server virtual machine.

Power off the vCenter Server virtual machine.

Click File > Export > Export OVF Template.

Connect the vSphere Client directly to the destination ESXi/ESX host.

Click File - Deploy OVF Template.

Power on the vCenter Server virtual machine.

Here is another. But neither specify whether or not the two hosts have to be on a connected network.

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1740312-move-a-vm-to-another-host

If this is possible will I only need to get vSphere Essentials (NOT PLUS) and setup the ESXi on the new host? Thanks in advance.

[dbalcaraz]

Hi,

To export/import a VM  as OVF, you're good with Essentials, Essentials plus gives you DRS and HA.

And well, if you don't mind yes, you can export the vCSA and import it in your ESXi host destination without problem.

Then you just have to register the host in the new vCenter (would be great disconnect the previous host from this vCenter before exporting it).

[continuum]

If you want predictable results I recommend to forget about the OVA / OVF.

I use a Linux VM with access to both hosts - reading the /vmfs/volumes/datastore/vm-to-move/ directory via sshfs readonly on source host.

Writing to /vmfs/volumes/datastore/vm-in-new-location/ on the new host via sshfs read/write mode..

Create snapshot and then you can clone the basedisk with ddrescue.
This will produce a directly usable copy.

On the target host you delete the snapshot when ddrescue is done.
Repeat when ever you like - will probably also work without shutting off the source VM.

No need to cross fingers when trying to import OVA on the new host.

All you need is a Linux with access to both hosts - or if that is no option - you can also use a USB-disk as temporary storage.
Procedure may be a bit ugly but it does the job.

Ulli

[cliffhammock]

Your second line says you use a Linux VM with access to both hosts. The problem is that these hosts will not be on the same network. So I assume that your solution won't work for me. Even if the results are not as predictable, will the OVA export process work for two hosts that are not on the same network?

[cliffhammock]

Thanks so much for your reply. I just need a final confirmation that I can disconnect and export and get the single file OVA and place it on an external drive and then take it to a new host on a different network and deploy and register there. I had another reply that said there is a better approach but it required me to have access to both hosts at the same time on the same network, which I don't.

[continuum]

When you do not have access to both hosts you can use a USB-disk as temporary storage

[cliffhammock]

OK. So that is what I intended to do with an external drive to transfer the OVF files or OVA file. I have not used VMware before and explained my use case to a VMware pre-sales person and he said I could not transfer a VM from one host to another host unless they were on the same network. But he did admit that he was not very technical. So I told him I would just post in the forums to get an answer and I really appreciate your feedback.

[continuum]

I despise the OVF-feature with quite a passion - but if it works it is probably the easiest option.

Try it with a Test-VM - according to the propaganda it should work
If you run into problems - come back.
Ignore the "did not I told you so ?" you will probably hear then and then I will talk you through the procedure that I prefer.

Ulli

[pragg12]

Hi,

This sounds interesting and I would love to try it out.

Problem is, the only time I have worked in Linux is when I SSH into ESXi or vCenter.

Can you give a detailed tutorial or reference link on how to do this through linux ?