Backing Up an ESXi 4.0 Virtual Using the VCenter Converter Standalone

[MikeGIllinois]

I'm having a "moment" here since it's been a while since I've done this.

I have a Windows Server 2008 VM running on ESXI 4.1. I want to make a one-time backup of the virtual. It's a Terminal Server so I don't need daily backups, etc.

I have it in mind that I can do this with the VCenter Converter Standalone. I have downloaded and installed version 5 of that.

When I attempt to contact the virtual using "VMWare Infrastructure Virtual Machine" from the Converter drop down I get this:

Unable to contact the specified host 192.168.254.154. The host might not be available . . . or the management services on this host are not responding.

The IP is correct. Am I missing something here? Management Services? Do I need to put the VM Converter Client on this virtual server?

The goal is to get the .vmdk over to a local machine so it can be restored in the event of a failure.

Thank you very much.

Mike Gallery

[Troy_Clavell]

since the VM is powered off (I assume because to choose the source you chose using Converter, the guest has to be off), Highlight it and go to File--Export-Export OVF Template.

[MikeGIllinois]

The VM wasn't powered off. I see it has to be to do an export.

So I don't need the Converter to make the .OFV template then, do I? I export from within the VMWare client. I use the Converter to restore an .OVF to a new ESXI Server, right?

Thank you!

[Troy_Clavell · Accepted solution]

to export as OVF you'll need to have the guest powered off, but you don't need to use Converter.

Also, in the future, if you use converter and a source of "VMware Infrastructure virtual machine", the VM needs to be powered off as well.

...and to get the OVF back into your inventory... File--Deploy OVF

[MikeGIllinois]

Thank you very much.

Mike Gallery