ESX 2.x Virtual Machine

[steve10]

What's the best way to convert a ESX 2.x Virtual Machine running on ESX 3 to a ESX 3.x Virtual Machine.

Thanks

Steve

[cheeko]

It depends.

It's easy with the converter --> http://www.vmware.com/products/converter

[esiebert7625]

If you run into problems with Converter you can also copy the vmdk file to the ESX3 server, import it to your vmfs volume using vmkfstools -i and then create a new VM and tell it to use an existing disk.

Here's some Converter links...

Server Migrations with Vmware Converter - http://www.vmware-tsx.com/download.php?asset_id=48

Converter tutorial - http://www.petri.co.il/virtual_convert_physical_machines_to_virtual_machines_with_vmware_converter.h...

Introducing the Next Generation of P2V: Vmware Converter 3.0 - http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9453.pdf

Converter FAQ - http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/faqs.html

Converter 3.0.1 Manual - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/VMware_Converter_manual301.pdf

Converter 3.0.1 Release Notes - http://www.vmware.com/support/converter/doc/releasenotes_conv301.html

Converter Data Sheet - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/converter_datasheet.pdf

Converter download - http://www.vmware.com/download/converter/

And some good upgrade guides...

Vmware ESX 3.x Server and VirtualCenter 2.x Upgrade Guide - http://www.rtfm-ed.co.uk/docs/vmwdocs/ESX3.x-VC2-upgradeguide.pdf

Virtual Infrastructure 3: Beta to Production - http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/mdc5173.pdf

Understanding Virtual Infrastructure Upgrade Moving to the new ESX 3.0/VC2.0 Release - http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9809.pdf

Planning a Upgrade to Vmware Infrastructure 3 - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_upgrade_plan.pdf

Upgrading your VI2 to VI3 - http://www.vmware-tsx.com/download.php?asset_id=25

Also this link has some good info, it's for going to VMware Server to ESX but some of the info is applicable.

http://vmware-land.com/Vmware_Tips.html#VM1

Fyi…if you find this post helpful, please award points using the Helpful/Correct buttons.

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Thanks, Eric

Visit my website: http://vmware-land.com

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[Erik_Zandboer]

If you have a ESX 2.5.x and a ESX3.0.x host, you could add them both to Virtualcenter en then simply cold-migrate or even better clone the VMs....

[Jae_Ellers]

If you have VC simply rename the existing VM to "clone of " back to the original name on a ESX 3 host.

We have some cleanup we do before the clone like remove the old vmware tools and check for some killer services like director 4.1 which wreak havoc on migrated VMs.

Before the cloned VM is powered on, right click and upgrade virtual hardware. Once it's running install the new VMware tools and you should be good.

As others have said Converter will work to minimize downtime when it works. It works more than it fails, but does occasionally fail.

[steve10]

Many thanks, used Converter worked very well.

[cheeko]

Helpful answers available: 2. Correct answers available: 1.

[marvinms]

I am able to MIGRATE the VM's from a 2.5.3 host to a 3 VI host but VMWare tools will not install.

Do I need to configure the Migration settings to upgrade the VM to 3 VI?

[marvinms]

Got it, just had to upgrade the hardware first.