vCenter - clone from ESX to ESX -> not use the Management Network Card

[OBTMOM]

First, Hello to all! My first post....

Ok, my scenario as follow.

We have a vm backup script which triggers shutdown of a VM and as the vm is down a full clone from the ESX where it was running to another in the cluster.

From there to some NFS store in our infrastructure. All ESX and NFS stores are connected through 10 GB fibre and the management network is 1 GB copper. Actually used to manage in case of vCenter issues.  Version is for all 6.7 U3.

We do start with the ESX to ESX clone and this really takes ages compared to the NFS store cloned.

Local to Local clone takes about an hour.

Local to NFS around 15 minutes.

VMs have thin provisioned disk with a size between 100 and 300 GB.

I stumbled over an article here where it was mentioned that cloning always takes the Management Network. I tried a few clones and could see that the management nic was used to transfer the data between the ESX.

Is this really something which i can not change? Would there be a way to "move" cloning to another vmkernel / nic. We do run 10Gb nics to the NFS stores and switches in between so a cloning action would be better through these interfaces i think.

Any tips and ideas are much appreciated!

PLAN B would be to rewrite the script and start with the NFS clones and later the esx to esx actions.

thank you very much!

[daphnissov]

You know what it sounds like you desperately need? Replication/backup software. Like real, purpose-built software allowing to sidestep this manual scripting mess. I've seen this multiple times before and it always gets resolved by using the proper tool for the job that *should* have been used from the beginning.

[OBTMOM]

Thanks for your reply.

Beside your proposal my question still remains. Does a clone really always use the management nic/kernel?

Or could this be changed? I am also curious and maybe a bit desperate

thanks!

[daphnissov]

A cold clone, yes. Otherwise you have to tag a vmkernel port for Provisioning traffic. With proper backup/replication software, you don't need to even shut down this VM which is the better way to go.

[larstr]

Create a VMkernel Adapter on a Host Associated with a vSphere Distributed Switch

[OBTMOM]

Gentlemen,

thank you very very much for your help and support!

I did not read the provisioning kernel documents which i will do now.

Shame on me...

So reconfigured my LAB cluster and will have a look next week how it behaves.

Again, thank you! Really appreciated.

Have a great weekend!

armin