How to backup VMs on licensed ESXi 4.0 host

[DavideD]

Hello,

I'm working on a new customer that needs to refresh its server/storage infrastructure. I have found one ESXi 4.0 host (licensed, not free) with 5 VMs (Win 2003 srv 32 bit and WinXP) runs the production environment.

I need to move/copy/replicate these VMs to a vSphere 6.7 installation, but all backup software I know (above all veeam) works and supports starting from 4.1. Upgrade the 4.0 host to 4.1 is not possible due expired vmware support contract.

The last chance I have is to enable ssh on ESXi host and copy/past the VMs via WinSCP.

does anyone have any good ideas on how to overcome this situation?

Thanks in advance

best regards

Davide

[e_espinel]

Hello.
In your particular case, you should check the server hardware if it supports higher versions like 5.x or 6.0 even 6.7 if you are lucky and your old server can support any of these versions, you can install them without license with a demo period for 60 days.
You also have to verify if the OS of the VMs will be supported in these new versions.

In case of any eventuality have the ISO of the current 4.0 version at hand. And of course a complete copy of your VMs.

[a_p_]

I don't know whether current versoins of the OVFTool still support ESXi 4.0, but https://williamlam.com/2012/06/how-to-copy-vms-directly-between-esxi.html may be worth a try.

Other than this it may work to export/import the VMs as OVF.

André