Converting Red Hat Linux 7.3 Machine Onto ESX 3.5

[fusebox]

We have couple of Red Hat 7.3 box(s) which we need to virtualize.As per the support matrix,it says 7.3 isnt supported in esx 3.5. What I want to know is,can those machines be run on 3.5 at all or its no way possible? I am assuming,it should be converted fine using the local cold cloning procedure.But, the problem may come when we try to install the vmware tools into this converted VM running rhl 7.3.Someone out there should have tried this already.So was curious to know.

So,any suggestions or ideas are welcome.

[IamTHEvilONE]

As for the ESX side of the house, it might be better suited to post in the VI/Guest OS forum:

http://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/vi/guest/

Converter doesn't officially support Linux in a general sense. You may be able to cold clone* the box, but then post conversion config is required. Try searching the forums here, because a number of people have asked and there is a document in the documents tab.

• requires converter enterprise license.

-- from the converter release notes --

http://www.vmware.com/support/converter/doc/releasenotes_conv303.html#guestos

Support for the following guest operating systems is Experimental. VMware Converter 3 can clone source images containing these operating systems, but the destination virtual machine may or may not work without additional configuration after import. In particular, if the source image contains unsupported hardware, you might need to modify the configuration of the destination virtual machine before using it:

• Linux

• Windows NT 3.x

• Windows ME

• Windows 98

• Windows 95

• MS-DOS

After Converting Physical RHEL4 System to a Virtual Machine, System Cannot See Hard Disks and Kernel Panics:

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1002402

Virtualize a Linux Server with VmWare Converter 3.0.1:

http://virtualaleph.blogspot.com/2007/05/virtualize-linux-server-with-vmware.html

[fusebox]

Yeah,I am aware of the hard disk(s) not visible and kernel panic ,which is in a way expected as the RAM disk image (initrd image) needs to be recreated for the linux VM. Maybe,will try to do a dry run in the sandbox environment first and see how it fares.

Thanks for the links btw.