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ChanKaiShi
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How do I move from one ESXi host to another?

Hi,

I have 2 ESXi hosts running on similar hardware. SSH is enabled on both hosts. I need to move all virtual machines from one host to another. What will be the most effective way to do that?

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AntonVZhbankov
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Most effecitive way: to buy vSphere Essentials, set up vCenter, connect both hosts, power off VMs, right-click and "Migrate". 1k$ for 3 hosts and vCenter.

Less effective, but cheaper way: power VMs off, copy VMs to another ESXi, browse datastore, right-click and "Add to Inventory" for all .vmx files


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Troy_Clavell
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In my opinion if you have stand alone hosts, the best way to move the guests is to use VMware Converter

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ChanKaiShi
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Convertor? I thought I can copy VMDK files and reattach them or something similar. Converting virtual machine to virtual machine seems to be overkill for this purpouse?

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Troy_Clavell
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That is just my opinion, you asked for the most effective way. You can also look at FastSCP

DSTAVERT
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I agree Converter is a reliable way to move VMs. Depending on OS you can have Converter shut down the source VM and power up the destination VM when complete.

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
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ChanKaiShi
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Would not convertor reassign MAC addresses to network cards and possible some other changes to guest OS as part of conversion?

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AntonVZhbankov
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Most effecitive way: to buy vSphere Essentials, set up vCenter, connect both hosts, power off VMs, right-click and "Migrate". 1k$ for 3 hosts and vCenter.

Less effective, but cheaper way: power VMs off, copy VMs to another ESXi, browse datastore, right-click and "Add to Inventory" for all .vmx files


---

MCSA, MCTS, VCP, VMware vExpert '2009

http://blog.vadmin.ru

EMCCAe, HPE ASE, MCITP: SA+VA, VCP 3/4/5, VMware vExpert XO (14 stars)
VMUG Russia Leader
http://t.me/beerpanda
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asatoran
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Would not convertor reassign MAC addresses to network cards and possible some other changes to guest OS as part of conversion?

No it does not. Converter is primarily for converting a physical machine, which does involve injecting the drivers for the virtual hardware. But since the machine is already a VMWare type virtual machine, no new drivers will need to be installed. So Converter doesn't really do anything except copy, in this case.

However when you first power on the copied the VM (either by Converter or by something else like FastSCP), you will be prompted if you "copied" or "moved" the VM. If you select "copied" you will get a new MAC address. If you select "moved", then nothing changes within the VM.