Redhat server p2v on esxi 4.1

[alter197]

Hi guys,

it's possible do it with a converter ?

Exist any technical guide ?

Which are a supported linux distribution ?

Thanks to advance.

[iw123 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Yes Redhat is supported - You can check which redhat versions are supported on ESX 4.1 here:

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php

It is possible to do the p2v with convertor - generally speaking you will just need to enable root ssh access to the source machine. The guide http://www.vmware.com/pdf/convsa_50_guide.pdf will detail how to convert a linux machine.

Thanks

[kooltechies]

Refer to this post on a step by step process.

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/150431

[UmeshAhuja]

Hi,

Can get more information from the below link

http://www.petri.co.il/physical-to-virtual-conversion-of-linux-servers-with-vmware-converter-bootcd....

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/150431

[alter197]

A last question:

in p2v redahat conversion during the procedure the converter use and install a own agent on remote source servre (redhat) or not ?

thanks for your time.

Bye.

[UmeshAhuja]

Hi,

Yes converter tries to install the agent on the source machine (Physical machine) . But I would be good if you install the converter agent manually to the physical machine.

[alter197]

Hi,

so you says that a convert install  a agent  on redhat source machine as done with a windows source machine.

I was not sure because reading about prerequisite :

"Before you continue, you must prepare the source machine for conversion.
- Enable SSH on the source Linux machine.
- Make sure that you use the root account to convert a Linux powered-on machine."

"The Converter Standalone server installs the agent on Windows physical
machines to import them as virtual machines."

and so i think that the converter use ssh communication for do it.

If no why the converter need a ssh installed on soruce macine ?

Which are the port used between a converter/vcenter  and source machine ?

Thanks for your time.

Gianluca

[UmeshAhuja]

Hi

SSH is required to get connectivity so that data can be copied easily.

Ensure that you have this ports open in your environment as well as you have installed the converter agent in your physical machine?

Ports for Converting a powered on Linux operating system (P2V)

Source	Destination	TCP   Ports	Notes
Converter server	Source computer	22	The Converter server must be able   to establish an SSH connection with the source computer.
Converter client	Converter server	443	Only required if a custom   installation was performed and the Converter server and client portions are   on different computers.
Converter server	VirtualCenter	443	Only required if the conversion   target is VirtualCenter.
Converter server	ESX	443, 902, 903	If the conversion target is   VirtualCenter, only ports 902 and 903 are required.
Converter server	Helper virtual machine	443
Helper virtual machine	Source computer	22	The helper virtual machine must be   able to establish an SSH connection with the source computer. By default the   helper virtual machine gets its IP address assigned by DHCP. If there is no   DHCP server available on the network chosen for the target virtual machine you   must manually assign it an IP address.

Using the Command-Line to Install VMware vCenter Converter Standalone Agent

1. Get the VMware-Converter-Agent.exe package by using one of the following:
   
   • After installing Converter Standalone, go to
     

%ProgramFiles%\VMware\VMware vCenter Converter Standalone.

• From command line, without installing Converter       Standalone, run the following command:
  

VMware-converter-4.0.0-xxxxxx.exe /a

2. To install Converter Standalone agent, run the      following command
   
   • For default port settings (port 9089)
     

VMware- -Converter-Agent.exe /s /v"/l*v %TEMP%/vmconvagentmsi.log /qn"

• For custom port settings (for example, port 8071)
  

VMware-Converter-Agent.exe /s /v"AGENT_PORT=8071 /l*v %TEMP%/vmconvagentmsi.log /qn"

[iw123]

Hi,

there isnt an agent for linux machines I don't think, it just uses SSH to do a file copy, and some scripts I think which get copied to /tmp

The converter agent is for windows machines.

[alter197]

So,

the p2v operation for a linux machine doesn't use any agent installed locally on the source while in p2v operation for a windows servre machine the converter isntalla a agent locally on source server and use this too accomplish the operation, it's corret ?

Thanks in advance.