vMotion without shared storage

[KKrtz]

Hello.

Does anybody tried to use vMotion without shared storage (via webclient) based on a Essentials Plus license??? My option is still greyed out in the dialog....

ESXi hosts are on 5.1 and in the cluster. VMFS is still on version 3. vCenter is deployed as appliance!

Do I have to configure something special?

Thanks.

[EdWilts]

Essentials Plus does not include a Storage vMotion license.  You need to be at least Standard.

[KKrtz]

As far as I understood this feature (not called storage vmotion) is also available at essentials plus ...

[a_p_]

Which option is grayed out? Please attach a screen shot.

You should have the option to change host and datastore. Migrating the host only without shared storage is not possible in this case.

André

[aravinds3107]

With the Essentials Plus license its is possible to Change both host and datastore when connected via web client

VMFS is still on version 3

Have you upgraded to ESXi 5.1 from previous version

[elgreco81]

Hi,

I belive EdWilts is right, storage vMotion is not supported in Ess+ kit. Please, check out this link.

http://www.vmware.com/products/datacenter-virtualization/vsphere/compare-kits.html

It wouldn't be the first time that marketing info is outdated in this page, but I looked for other documents that tell this functionality was supported, without finding even one.

Regards,

elgreco81

[dkraut]

Yep, you can vmotion and svmotion with Essentials Plus.  I'm running Essentials Plus 4.1 and here's a screenshot.

OP, what do you mean by  "Without Shared Storage"?

[EdWilts]

Migrate isn't the same as storage vMotion.  With 4.1, if you're seeing an option for migrating both host and datastore then the guest is powered down and storage vMotion doesn't come into play.

My reference for whether or not storage vMotion is supported is teh "VMware vSphere 4 License, Pricing and Packaging" whitepaper.  See page 6 at  http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/vsphere_pricing.pdf

You'll also note that although VMware says that Endpoint is now included in all editions, Essentials is excluded.

I don't believe that there is a change in 5.1 that adds Essentials as a valid license - what VMware had done for 5.1 is remove the shared storage requirement.

[KKrtz]

I've installed my host fresh but the update of VMFS from version 3 to 5 is open. Options for migration of an VM (powered on) is only "Change host". Change datastore is greyed out!

I don't want to use "Storage vMotion" !!! I want to use the "enhanced" vMotion Feature of changing datastore...

[elgreco81]

You need storage vmotion in order to "vmotion" a VM without shared storage. Storage vMotion is not a feature included in Ess+ so you won't be able to do what you want, that is "vmotion between two host without shared storage".

Regards,

elgreco81

[KKrtz]

http://www.vmware.com/products/datacenter-virtualization/vsphere/vmotion.html

"Enhancements to vMotion in vSphere 5.1 provide a new level of ease and flexibility for live virtual machine migrations. Prior to vSphere 5.1, both vMotion and Storage vMotion required shared storage to perform live migrations of virtual machines. (vMotion required shared storage between hosts performing the vMotion. Storage vMotion required a host to have access to the source and destination datastores.) vSphere 5.1 removes the shared storage requirement."

I thought it means "vMotion" can move a VM from one local to another local storage (without using Storage vMotion)...

[aravinds3107]

Post the screenshot of the Migrate VM wizard

[KKrtz]

You can see that the migration requests "Storage vMotion" ... But I understood the feature description different!

see also...http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2012/09/vmotion-without-shared-storage-requirement-does-it-have-a-na...

[elgreco81]

Hi,

It does lead to confusion.

Hope it's clear now and your question is answered!!!

Regards,

elgreco81

[dkraut]

This article referenced above and subsequent comments would indicate otherwise  > 

http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2012/09/vmotion-without-shared-storage-requirement-does-it-have-a-na...

[mpr4ul]

Hi,

     I think "Essentials Plus license" may support storage vMotion.

     If you want to perform storage vMotion you need to "poweroff" the VM and try , then you will get enable the storage options in vMotion page

[elgreco81]

You are right! Now I'm confused...sorry...

[KKrtz]

@mpr4ul -> I am speaking about powered on VMs

You see the documentation or writing from VMware is not so clear ... I've openend an service request at VMware!

[elgreco81]

Hi,

Please post here the answer! People, any bets? I'm quite lost right now LOL

Regards,

elgreco81

[KKrtz]

I am just waiting for an feedback ... first answer from service desk was "it should be possible" ..... we will see!