Copy VMDK to datastore - but how?

[MD1988]

Hello together,

we got some ESX-Servers installed with ESXi 5.5 distributed over some locations. The ESXi-Servers are running just a few VMs stored on local datastores. Now we need to bring out a new VM template (25GB) to all those locations already configured in lab, but we dont know how to get them on the datastore. We already thought about some ways like:

- trasmitting them over the network --> not possible cause the locations arent good connected

- delivering a usb-stick with the image but how to get it on the ESXi-datastore since this system isnt able to read ntfs-formatted sticks, is it somehow?

- copy the image on a nas in the location and mount it as nfs-share on the ESXi-host --> not possible since there is no nas in each location.

Is there any way you think of how to get this VM-template on the ESXi-datastore?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Greetings

Michael

[admin]

Can you copy the file to a local machine using USB, then transfer to the datastore using WinSCP? You can also transfer files to a datastore by opening the datastore browser and using the 'upload' button.

[yosingh]

Hello Michael,

If i got it correct than you are trying to get your VM on newly created datastore those are in different locations.

So below is the method while migrating VM over low bandwidth WAN or you can delivering it via USB-Stick.

Export VM to OVA format.

1. Select the virtual machine and select File > Export to OVA.

2. Type a name for the OVA file and specify a directory in which to save it. (can use USB-stick or network share)

3. Click Save to start the OVA export process.

Once the OVA export has been completed you can use the USB to deploy the Virtual Machine.

Select File > Deploy OVF Template and follow the wizard.

Let me know if you need more info on this.

Regards

Yogendra

[arunkumar01]

Hello Michael,

Another way of transiting the template is downloading the VM files and copy them to USB drive and transport it to another location. Upload the VM files and register the VM in the inventory.

Please follow the below steps:

1. connect your ESXi host using vsphere client.

2. Select the the VM, go to Summary tab, right click on the datastore in Resources.

3. browse the datastore select the VM on the left side of the Datastore Browser window and click on "Download a file from this datastore to your local computer" button

4. Create a new folder to store the VM file. Once download is completed copy the VM folder in a USB stick.

Now transfer the USB stick to another site.

1. connect your ESXi host using vsphere client.

2. select the ESXi server on top, go to Summary tab, right click on the datastore (if you have multiple then select the one where you want to house your VM)  in Resources.

3. Create a folder and select the same folder then click on Button "Upload files to this datastore". Navigate to the path of the VM folder in the USB drive.

4. select all files and upload them.

5. Once upload is finish. Right click on yourvmname.VMX file and select Add to inventory option.

Now VM will start to show in inventory.

[VMARA]

Simplest way is Export your VM as an OVF or OVA format

Copy to your usb stick from your computer

Distributed among the sites as you mentioned in the second step.