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MAZ1363
Contributor
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ESX4.0 Moving VMs from one Dell2950 8-core Host to OtherDELL 2950 4-core Host

Hi Experts,

I have a situation, here i have my sertup of 2 ESX hosts on Dell 2950 2.4 8Core Servers.

Each Host has 2 linux and 2 windows Machines and some clones of each other on one another.

But in the production, in power on state there are 3 machines on each server.

Scope Of Work:

I need to shift these 2 Hosts dell 2950 8 core systems to other Dell 2950 4core servers.

What can be the best possible soluton.

Either using VCenter and shifting one hosts VMs in the power on state to CLONE to the New Host??? What step are mandiatory???

1. Creating the VM as Source VM like same CPU, HDD, RAM capacity?

2. Or shifting the Clone to 3rd Host and test it thats it.

Your exprert opinioin is requested.

Best Regards,

Aamir

System & Storage Engineer

Saudi-inteltec

System & Storage Engineer Saudi-inteltec
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7 Replies
golddiggie
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Which license are you using for ESX and vCenter? Such as Enterprise Plus and vCenter Standard??

Are you using a SAN or are the VM's on local disk (to the hosts)???

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MAZ1363
Contributor
Contributor

Hi,

I have Enterprise Plus and vCenter Standard license.

But unfortunately not using any SAN, same host have the Datastore, with RAID 5.

Appreciate your response.

MAZ

System & Storage Engineer Saudi-inteltec
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golddiggie
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Without shared storage you're going to have to do it the long, hard, way... You can use either the VMware Converter product, or connect to both ESX host datastores and move the directory for the VM from one to the other via your computer (don't expect it to be quick). You can also try using fastSCP (from veeam) to move the VM's from host datastore to host datastore. You will need to power off the VM's, remove them from the inventory of the existing host server, then move them to the new host and add them to it's inventory... Depending on how large the vm files are (such as thick provisioned vmdk's or just with a lot of information on the vmdk's) you could be looking at a lot of time...

IF you had some shared storage in the mix, you could connect that to both hosts, then shift the VM's over to that (svMotion) and then just migrate them between the two host servers (for inventory or regular vMotion)...

Any time you have more than one host server, it's a really good idea to use shared storage to house the VM's... That will also allow you to use things like HA and easily load balance VM's across the hosts... Hell, I only have one ESXi host, but I'm still looking to get a SAN for my home lab. That way I'll be ready for when I do get another system to be an ESXi host server.

I would have a serious talk with whoever controls the budget where you are and get some funds to get a SAN... Even if you go ghetto for now and get something more geared towards small environments (or labs) since you only have a small number of VM's... I would go with either one of the VessRAID iSCSI chassis (1830i: 12 bay; or 1840i:16 bay) filling up half the drive bays to start (SAS drives if you can, SATA if you must)... Another option are some of the products from QNAP, but those don't offer as many Gb NIC ports on them (limited to two, where the VessRAID offer four). You could also try going with one of the lower end MD3000i series devices from Dell (go with one that you can get brand new, with support)... I think the VessRAID would offer you the best flexibility and performance for the money. Allowing you to increase your storage capacity later, as you see the need. Either of the two VessRAID chassis can be had for under $2300 each (the 1840i is about $200 more than the 1830i). Then it's just a matter of getting some drives (Seagate Constellation SAS drives are not expensive for the capacity they offer) that are on the documented compatibility sheet (for the VessRAID)...

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joshuatownsend
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I agree with golddiggie - shared storage is not optional, especially if you put up the cash for Enterprise Plus and vCenter. The MD3000i from Dell is a good way to go - sometimes you can pick them up from http://outlet.dell.com refurb/openbox/scratch-dent inventory. Your internal disks from the PE2950's should move over to the MD3000i. I would keep two disks in RAID1 in the 2950's to boot from and move the others into an MD3000i.

You could also look at the HP/LeftHand VSA, which would create a distributed 'SAN' out of the local storage in the PE2950's.

FWIW - I would avoid the QNAP. I've had some bad experiences with them at a customer site....


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MAZ1363
Contributor
Contributor

Hi, Thanks for detailed information and guidance.

What i am planning to do is to follow the thttp://boardreader.com/thread/Best_way_to_migrate_VM_without_Vmotion_e9q8X4jns.html

knowledge from VMware Books, to clone the VM while the source is powered off.

Once it is cloned to the new host data store, I will power it up, Questions.........

It wil take the same configuration as the source H2

One from H2, VM clone is on H3, will be same configuration, and SHALL take the same configuration and settings.

Suggestion for the Copy of VMs from one host to another, will create mismatch information of the link point connections / flies on the datastores from H2 to H3??

Please Advise.

Regards,

MAZ

System & Storage Engineer

Saudi-inteltec

System & Storage Engineer Saudi-inteltec
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MAZ1363
Contributor
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Hi,

Thanksf for support, I tried VCenter Convertor Standalone, in the VCenter server itself and seamlesssly moved 2 of my VMs from Dell 2950 8Core to 4 Core server.

Observations:

1. It takes 25 to 35 minutes for VI, VM conversion.

2. After Converstion, new VM on the destination takes IP address from DHCP, just reassigning the same Target Machines is required,

3. Just power up new VM on the destination and login it, works normal.

4. Before bringing the new VM, in prodution, remove oroginal VM from VCenter Inventory is requied.

One Probelm:

As VMs from source and destination have same file names, VCenter gives error, when tried to bring the new VM in the Vcenter inventory stating "VM names already exists"

Need help tp resole it.

Cheers!

MAz

System & Storage Engineer Saudi-inteltec
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MAZ1363
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Contributor

In my last reply.....i have explained how it was done.

System & Storage Engineer Saudi-inteltec
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