Cloning VM active (in a older ESXi)

[SommyJo]

There is an ESXi Essential 6.0 host; above is a VM with an older Linux version and older and critical applications.
I wanted to clone the VM to do some tests before proceeding with a general update, but the fear is that by stopping the VM, then the applications will not be able to restart correctly.
Is there any way to clone with the active VM?

There is no VCenter.

[hadjer1]

Hi,

If it is a Linux VM, you can use VMware converter to clone it to another ESXI, just note please that VMware converter is not supported anymore by VMware.

[shaokat]

I suggest taking a backup using veeam or any other backup server. you can also use VMware converter tools but it'snot supported currently.

[e_espinel · Accepted solution]

Hello.
I recommend you to make a full backup of the VM with Veeam backup &Replication is free in its Community edition (up 10 workloads).

You can install it even on a PC with 8GB ram or more and enough disk space (even with external USB disks).

https://www.veeam.com/virtual-machine-backup-solution-free.html

On Yotube you can find examples of how to install, configure, backup and restore easily and from VMware.

https://www.youtube.com/c/veeam

If you are using a vmware vsphere free, then you will have to backup and restore as a physical server. You should verify that the guest operating system is supported by Veeam.

[SommyJo]

Thanks for your suggestions.
I will do backup and restore for a test environment.
Thank you all.