How do I safely clone a 2008 DC VM from one ESX to a new ESX host?

[jkd0401]

Will I have any issues with SIDs or any other concerns I should worry about. Any info is appreciated...Thanks in advance.

[RParker]

Will I have any issues with SIDs or any other concerns I should worry about. Any info is appreciated...Thanks in advance.

If you can clone it, you should be able to migrate it. Migrate moves the file in that way you won't have a problem with SID. Cloning will allow you to do the same thing, but if you are going to move it to another server, chances are you won't need the original, or were you trying to create an additional DC by cloning the original?

[jkd0401]

My reason for wanting to clone was that I didn't want to carry over the snapshots. Is it safe to do so? If I migrate will all the snapshots come over to the new host as well?

[RParker]

If I migrate will all the snapshots come over to the new host as well?

No. If you have say 2 snapshots. One is base and one is called SP1 for instance. If you commit SP1, and you perform a migrate it will migrate the state of the VM with that snapshot. So it will migrate to whatever state the VM is currently in with the snapshots, but it won't move the snapshots and allow you to revert later.

So in this way you would be removing ALL snapshots and moving the VM to a new machine in the state of the current active snapshot.

So basically if you have the VM in the way you want it now, then you can migrate it, and you will be fine. Of course the DC will need to be off for migrations, which is a good thing especially for DC.

[dconvery]

If committing snapshots is the issue here, I usually recommend using VMware Converter and treating it as if it was a P2V. Doing it this way will give you a new VM with all of the snapshots committed. AND you can resize partitions if you need to.

Dave

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Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties.

Doug Larson

[dconvery]

One more thing. Since this is a DC, you may want to use the Cold Clone CD so you don't have to worry about uncommitted AD changes. Just download the .ISO and boot the VM to the .ISO.

Dave

************************

Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties.

Doug Larson