Clean ESX 3.0.1 install

[kristine]

I recently performed a clean install of ESX 3.0.1 on a server that originally ran ESX 2.5.2. Prior to wiping the server, I copied the virtual machine .dsk files to a different ESX 2.5.2 server so they wouldn't get lost. After copying the files back to the newly installed ESX 3.0.1 server I cannot browse to them in Virtual Center 2.0 when I go to create a new machine. Through Virtual Center the folder looks empty. But if I command line navigate to the folder (/vmfs/volumes/...) using Putty, then I see the folder and the files in it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Paul_Lalonde]

Download the free VMware Converter (off the same download page as ESX) and use it to "pull" your VMs off of the 2.5 environment into the 3.x environment. Easiest way to do it.

Paul

[esiebert7625]

2.5 & 3.0 are different file systems(VMFS2/VMFS3), you typically dmotion vmdk files between a 2.5 and 3.0 server to copy the VM. Here are some posts that talk about migrating vmdk files from 2.5 to 3.0...

http://kb.vmware.com/KanisaPlatform/Publishing/313/900_f.SAL_Public.html

http://www.vmware.com/community/message.jspa?messageID=510752

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=550207&#550207

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=587089&#587089

[dsouza_r]

Kristine,

You need to upgrade the VMs using the vmware-vmupgrade.exe command.

See page 169 of the Installation and Upgrade Guide for ESX 3.0.1 and VC 2.0.1

http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html

Cheers,

Roland