We have a new ESXI host and want to copy an existing VM from an old ESXI host to the new one, can we just add a usb HD to the old ESXI host and copy that? If so how do we add that to the existing ESXI host?
Hello.
I recommend you to use a backup and restore scheme using Veeam Backup & Replication (free).
You only need a computer, even a PC or laptop and disk space (even an external disk will do).
Veeam Backup & Replication Community Edition
link: https://www.veeam.com/virtual-machine-backup-solution-free.html
You can do this in several ways.
From the GUI by exporting/importing the VM in an OVF format, or simply restoring the VM from your latest backup.
What may also be worth looking at, is https://williamlam.com/2012/06/how-to-copy-vms-directly-between-esxi.html
André
Is the new ESXi in the same vCenter? How about trying svmotion to the new ESXi ? There are many options available
. vSphere Replication
. Storage vMotion
. Export VM
. Copy the VM files
Make sure the new ESXi host is in the supported CPU family. Check the VMware compatibility matrix.
Backup and Restore
The new ESXi is in a separate new vCenter, the part where we are stuck is can we plug a external drive into the old esxi host, copy the vm folder from the old datastore and import into the new esxi host. How do we add an external HD to vCenter as a datastore?
Use a device which provides a NFS share.
Simply copying the files may work (it's basically the same as downloading the files from the host using e.g. WinSCP), but it may lead to unwanted results, like inflated virtual disk files in case you've been using thin provisioning for the VMs.
Remember that thin provisioning is a VMFS file system feature, that other file system do not understand.
André
Hello.
I recommend you to use a backup and restore scheme using Veeam Backup & Replication (free).
You only need a computer, even a PC or laptop and disk space (even an external disk will do).
Veeam Backup & Replication Community Edition
link: https://www.veeam.com/virtual-machine-backup-solution-free.html
Thank you everyone for your suggestions