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4Ransom
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Renaming VM and all associated files?

Hi,

I am running ESXi 4, and using the free VIC. I am trying to rename a VM, and all associated files, however nothing I do seems to work.

-I have tried right clicking on the VM and choosing rename, and this changes name, but none of the associated files.

-I can rename most of the individual files, but not the vmdk file. I try doing this with vmkfstools.pl, however i get the error "fault.RestrictedVersion.summary" which I think means it's read only due to licensing, even though I've purchased Essentials package. (I am not using vCenter yet because the VM I want to install it on is the one in question).

Can somebody please tell me why something that seems like it should be so simple is so difficult?

Thanks!

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AndreTheGiant
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You can use only the mv command (with the VM powered off), but then you have to edit some text file to fix the file name.

The disk name is also in the small the small vmdk file.

Other names are in the vmx file as documented in:

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1029513

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro

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DSTAVERT
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If you want to rename the VM with vmkfstools.pl must be shut down first. What is the complete command you are using?






Forum Upgrade Notice - We will be upgrading VMware Communities systems between 10-12 December 2010. During this time, the system will be placed in READ-ONLY mode.

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
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4Ransom
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VM is shut down. Complete command I'm using is: vmkfstools.pl --server servername -E /vmfs/volumes/datastore/folder/oldname.vmdk /vmfs/volumes/datastore/folder/newname.vmdk.

Is there an easier way to do this? Does VCenter make this easier, or will it be the same process?

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DSTAVERT
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You have applied your license??? This isn't the free version is it? If so you can't do it from the rcli. You can activate the Tech Support Mode and use vmksftools from the console command line.

In vCenter you can use Clone to create a new copy of the VM. If it is Windows you may need to reactivate but??






Forum Upgrade Notice - We will be upgrading VMware Communities systems between 10-12 December 2010. During this time, the system will be placed in READ-ONLY mode.

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
AndreTheGiant
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You can use only the mv command (with the VM powered off), but then you have to edit some text file to fix the file name.

The disk name is also in the small the small vmdk file.

Other names are in the vmx file as documented in:

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1029513

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
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Rumple
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personally I would still install virtual center on the VM that needs renamed...get everything working and then do a live clone of the VCenter Server to the new name. After its done, shutdown the wrong name, power up the correctly named and you done...just delete the wrong named VM afterwards

logiboy123
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When you do a storage VMotion or cold migration to a different datastore, vCenter will rename the files and folder to match the display name in the VI Client. This is the easiest way to rename the underlying VM without poking around into the configuration files.

Regards,

Paul Kelly

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DSTAVERT
Immortal
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Since this looks to be the free version Storage VMotion isn't going to be an option.






Forum Upgrade Notice - We will be upgrading VMware Communities systems between 10-12 December 2010. During this time, the system will be placed in READ-ONLY mode.

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
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Rumple
Virtuoso
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He ownes essentials so with vc he can still clone...can't remember is svmotion is in essentials plus or advanced...

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logiboy123
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A could migration would also do the rename function as well.

Regards,

Paul Kelly

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