The best way to move a VM host (OLD VM server) to another new VM server (NEW)

[gkpyeung]

Hi,

I have several VM hosts in a Dell R320 and we are going to get a new R730 server.

There are several VM hosts in the R320. Is that OK I just copy out the .VMDK file for each host is ok and how to trim down the size before copy out...

e.g

I have a VM host running Windows 2003 and it has two .vmdk files

Name                       Size                    Provisioned Size               Type

ServerA.vmdk          26GB                    83GB                               Virtual Disk

ServerB.vmdk          4GB                      83GB                               Virtual Disk

Anyway, I can just copy out the ServerA.vmdk with size 26GB and ServerB.vmdk with size 4GB... ?!

Thanks

[DavoudTeimouri]

Hi,

You don't have shared storage?! If you have, there no need to copy and paste files directly.

Also I think, exporting VM as an OVF or OVA file is better solution.

Because you need to VM configuration file (VMX) as well.

[gkpyeung]

Hi,

I am not familiar on the Shared Storage... The R310 and the NEW R730 is installed in the same subnet but R310 is running ESXi 5.0.0.768111 and I would definiatly install the most updated 5.5.x to R730...

You mean I can convert the existing LUN from R310 to a shared storage then R730 can direct attach it ? if so, I don't think it is good to us as I am worrying of the network performance would affect it...

Thanks