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alexlake66
Contributor
Contributor

VMware converter to ESXi sticking at 1%

Just trying to virtualise an old Ubuntu box to a new install of ESXi 6.7 running on a Hetzer hosted server and I'm a little confused...

I think the process is getting stuck in transferring from physical machine to VM, probably because the VM doesn't have its own public IP address.

This is all quite distributed, with EXSi host, Windows box running VMWare vCentre converter and Ubuntu machine all on completely unconnected networks (other than via the Internet).

Although the ESXi box is multihomed, I've not worked out how to get ESXi allocate the 2nd IP address to the VM.

Any suggestions on beginners guides to doing this? I'm finding Google isn't my friend, thanks to all the different versions of EXSi.

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T180985
Expert
Expert

This might help, I had a similar issue with converting a Linux machine

VMware converter fails at 1% | Virtually Physical LTD

Please mark helpful or correct if my answer resolved your issue. How to post effectively on VMTN https://communities.vmware.com/people/daphnissov/blog/2018/12/05/how-to-ask-for-help-on-tech-forums
alexlake66
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks. This does sound very similar to my problem. I tried your steps, but I'm a little confused by the basics here:

1) My esxi server is on ip address A.B.C.D

2) The Converter asks it to create a vm with the name of the machine I'm making - in this case 'm1011'

3) I can see the screen of this machine in the ESXi web console as it is created and boots up. It doesn't seem to have an IP address

4) I then see a login prompt. I guess this is just the default screen session, and I shouldn't expect to see any more on that screen.

But I'm a little confused here as to where this "helper VM" is supposed to be - is it supposed to be running on the ESXi host, or within the vCentre converter?

I'm also wondering how to tell the ESXi server that it has another IP address to play with - and I would like that IP address allocated to m1011.

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T180985
Expert
Expert

The helper VM should have been created on the destination ESXi Server.

"When you convert a powered on Linux machine, Converter Standalone creates a helper virtual machine on the destination. The helper virtual machine needs network access to the source machine to clone the source files. By default, the IP address of the helper virtual machine is assigned by DHCP. Default conversion settings enforce automatic acquisition of an IPv4 address, IPv6 address, and a DNS server for the helper virtual machine, but you can set up this network connection manually."

Please mark helpful or correct if my answer resolved your issue. How to post effectively on VMTN https://communities.vmware.com/people/daphnissov/blog/2018/12/05/how-to-ask-for-help-on-tech-forums
alexlake66
Contributor
Contributor

OK, so I'll assume the helper VM is the only one created in my case, but the problem is that this helper VM can't access the internet.

I also can't login to it from the ESXi console screen. I don't know if I'm supposed to use "root" and "password" or a login from the source VM.

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T180985
Expert
Expert

Ok so before you start the process and get to the point you have a helper VM, you need to follow the instructions I posted previously around configuring the helper network. This will ensure the helper vm has a successful network connection

Please mark helpful or correct if my answer resolved your issue. How to post effectively on VMTN https://communities.vmware.com/people/daphnissov/blog/2018/12/05/how-to-ask-for-help-on-tech-forums
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alexlake66
Contributor
Contributor

I'm sure those instructions are needed, but in my case there's another issue to do with a host NIC on more than one public IP address.

What was your network topology? Mine is that all three physical boxes are on public Internet with no meaningful LAN.

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T180985
Expert
Expert

Are you talking about the ESXi hosts or the Ubuntu server is on the internet? Either way it shouldn't matter as I would assume you have a VM Network/Port group the P2V VM will be placed onto?

Please mark helpful or correct if my answer resolved your issue. How to post effectively on VMTN https://communities.vmware.com/people/daphnissov/blog/2018/12/05/how-to-ask-for-help-on-tech-forums
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alexlake66
Contributor
Contributor

Mmmm....

" I would assume you have a VM Network/Port group the P2V VM will be placed onto?"

I think you're assuming I am not a VMWare newbie...

I will have to Google that, as I've no idea what you're talking about! 😉

Thanks

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T180985
Expert
Expert

So on your ESXi Hosts you should have some networking already configured for your VMs to use? The helper VM should have been placed on one of those networks when you setup the migration

Or is this a whole brand new build with nothing in place

Please mark helpful or correct if my answer resolved your issue. How to post effectively on VMTN https://communities.vmware.com/people/daphnissov/blog/2018/12/05/how-to-ask-for-help-on-tech-forums
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alexlake66
Contributor
Contributor

Further to this, I came across this page Add a Virtual Machine Port Group

However, the instructions bear no similarity to reality.

If I right-click the host, I only see the following:

- Create/Register VM

- Shut down

- Reboot

= Servics

- Enter maintenance mode

- Lockdown mode

- Permissions

- Generate support bundle

- Get SSH for Chrome

No mention at all of "Add Networking"

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alexlake66
Contributor
Contributor

TO answer your other question, yes, this is a whole brand new build with nothing in place

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T180985
Expert
Expert

Ok then you have alot to do before you can start thinking about P2V your existing servers. Youre going to need to get your virtualisation enviroment built first, i will include some links below to help you along

VMware Validated Designs:

VMware Validated Design Documentation

Hosts:

https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.7/vsphere-esxi-67-installation-setup-guide.pdf

vCenter:

https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.7/vsphere-vcenter-server-67-installation-guide.pdf

Networking

Standard Switch:

Setting Up Networking with vSphere Standard Switches

Distributed Switch:

Setting Up Networking with vSphere Distributed Switches

There are alot of blogs out there from the vExperts that can help you get started but if you have any additional questions feel free to ask on here also.

Please mark helpful or correct if my answer resolved your issue. How to post effectively on VMTN https://communities.vmware.com/people/daphnissov/blog/2018/12/05/how-to-ask-for-help-on-tech-forums
alexlake66
Contributor
Contributor

Just wondering if there is anyone out there prepared to set this up for me for a modest fee?!

I think that trying to do P2V on a Hetzner box is "advanced" and I'm only starting at "Basic"

I'd have to learn all about vSwitches and the like - something I've not got time for!

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T180985
Expert
Expert

As much as I would love to say yes, I'm not sure poaching business from VMware PSO on their own forums will go down too well  

Please mark helpful or correct if my answer resolved your issue. How to post effectively on VMTN https://communities.vmware.com/people/daphnissov/blog/2018/12/05/how-to-ask-for-help-on-tech-forums
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scott28tt
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Moderator: Moved to Converter Standalone


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