migrating/moving VM from one host to another host

[aiea96701]

We have 5 ESXi4 hosts.  All standalone (we're a small company).   Each have several VMs on them.   I need to migrate/move a VM from one standalone host to another standalone host.   Note:  because we're small, we don't have vCenter so we can't use vMotion.

I believe all I need to do is copy the VMDK and VMX files across and then setup a VM for the files to exist on.  Is that correct?   Or, can I ADD TO INVENTORY from the vmx file?  Or, would it be possible to V2V using StandAlone Converter from one host to the other?

[spravtek]

Yes, you can move the VM's between the hosts when they're off-line, remove from inventory from the first host and add to inventory on the other/new host. You can use a tool like this for easy moving between local data stores: http://www.veeam.com/virtual-machine-backup-solution-free.html

[sparrowangelste]

add to inventory would work if they are all on a shared san.

you can copy over the vmx and vmdk files also.

the easiest way would be to export to ova then import.

its one package nice and easy

http://sparrowangelstechnology.blogspot.com/2012/08/creating-ovf-or-ova-file-of-virtual.html

http://sparrowangelstechnology.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-to-import-and-deploy-ova-or-ovf.html

[aiea96701]

Oh...I  like that.   Thanks.