migration esx3.5 to esxi4

[mdisk]

Hello

I have standalone server with esx3.5V install on local disk

The guest vm's run on different local disks and datastores

I want to migration to new esxi4 that will be install on new usb flash drive

Q

1. After the esxi will be install will it see the local datastores that was created in esx3.5 with vmfs 3.31

2. Will the guest vm's pickup all settings for configuration files that were assign from esx3.5 (cpu, memory, nic)

3. Will the guests vm's work stable after the migration

4. Is there any special notes for this procedure ?

[Silverchenau]

hi,

First of all, It's very rare to have standalone ESX 3.5. Are you sure you won't use vCEnter to manage esxi 4?

Q

1. After the esxi will be install will it see the local datastores that was created in esx3.5 with vmfs 3.31

If you run upgrade to your ESX, your original ESX os will be made as image file for roll back. But your local datastores data will be gone because vmware expect you to move your VMs to another host. From upgrade ESX to ESXi, ESXi installation is straight forward. You don't have option to choose how to divide partitions. Yes, you will loss data in local datastore.

2. Will the guest vm's pickup all settings for configuration files that were assign from esx3.5 (cpu, memory, nic)

your old VM which is using Vmware hardware 4 will run fine on ESXi 4.

3. Will the guests vm's work stable after the migration

Yes. It's stable. But strongly recommend you to upgrade hardware version. Please go check my blog for article "Upgrade ESX 3.5 to vSphere"

4. Is there any special notes for this procedure ?

Yes, my blog will have lots of useful document for you.

My Vmware blog: http://geeksilverblog.com

[mdisk]

Hello Silverchenau

I think you miss the point

I have esx 3.5 full version and I want to install exsi 4 on a new USB flash

as I see vmware does not have any references for this scenario

I need to run clean installion of esxi 4 on the USB flash and not use the vm upgrade until no support from esx3.5 to exsi4

The Q is will the esxi 4 see the old datastore and run guest vm's

Please see old post I found

http://communities.vmware.com/message/1411200#1411200

[Silverchenau]

hi, Mdisk:

I think the answer is yes. The ESXi will see the old datastore after you boot from USB. You need to import vms to esxi and register them into esxi and run. They should be fine as long as you don't upgrade anything on VMs.

I also read your old post. Seems those guys gave you a full answer. Why would you ask same question again?

My Vmware blog: http://geeksilverblog.com

[mdisk]

Yes the old post is very useful for me (the old post is not mine) but the guy did not post back if this operation work smoothly And if he manage to do what was suggested

Regarding Q2

2. Will the guest vm's pickup all settings for configuration files that were assign from esx3.5 (cpu, memory, nic)

I don’t understand if I will need to create a new environment for the old guest vm

Or when I will connect the old datastore it will bring up all old guest settings

Like memory usage cpu network configuration

[Silverchenau]

Regarding Q2

2. Will the guest vm's pickup all settings for configuration files that were assign from esx3.5 (cpu, memory, nic)

I don’t understand if I will need to create a new environment for the old guest vm

Or when I will connect the old datastore it will bring up all old guest settings

Like memory usage cpu network configuration

hi, mdisk:

Are you talking about VMs memory setting, how many vcpus?? or resource pool limitation? If it's VMs memory, then, those information are in the vmx file. so it will be kept when you load into new env. If you're referring to resource pool, then, no. It's vCenter only info.

My Vmware blog: http://geeksilverblog.com

[mdisk]

So let me clear what you are saying

After I install esxi4 on usb flash I will use the import vm option and select the datastore and vm file

It will bring up all vm guest setting

Then i will have to update vmtools on guest and then update hardware setting

Is this correct

[Silverchenau]

Yes, you are right. But please be aware that once you upgrade vmware hardware, there is no turning back, meaning, if you upgrade vmware hardware v4 to v7, you can start your vm in ESX3.5 anymore.

My Vmware blog: http://geeksilverblog.com

[mdisk]

Silverchenau many thanks for your help

[mdisk]

Silverchenau many thanks for your help