how to migrate a virtual machine to another esxi

[giantyu]

Hi

   Now i have two esxi,no public storage device,i want to migrate a virtual machine from one to another esxi

   which files should i copy?

   vmdk?vmsd?vmx?vmxf?

   should i copy these 4 files?

   thanks a lot.

[jrmunday]

You have a number of options, see a similar discussion on this thread;

http://communities.vmware.com/message/2057405#2057405

[iw123]

You should copy all the files in the VM's folder/working directory - you might want to use something like fastscp to carry out the copy. The VM will need to be powered off whilst you copy it over.

Once you have the files on a datastore on your other host, you will need to add the VM to the inventory.

[frankdenneman]

Hi,

You didn't specify the version of vSphere, license type and whether or not you have vCenter. It could be your using the free hypervisor, but

if you have vSphere 5.1 and the essential plus license (or better) you can migrate virtual machines without shared storage.

Check out the article on how it works: http://frankdenneman.nl/vmotion/vsphere-5-1-vmotion-deepdive/

[ch1ta]

Additionally, you can utilize Veeam Backup and Replication, or more specifically its “Quick Migration” functionality.

With Veeam Quick Migration you’re able to promptly migrate one or more VM between ESX(i) hosts, datastores or both. Veeam Backup & Replication allows migration of VMs in any state with a minimum disruption to business operations and end user access to services.

This feature is available in free version of Veeam B&R.

If any questions regarding it arise, feel free to ask me for further expanations.
Thanks.