Important: P2Ving the server running VC server

[max2001]

Hi,

I'm planning to do a P2V to the physical server on which virtual center server is running, I'm then planning to do a test on this VM (running the upgrade to VC Update 5) before applying it on the physical box... I have already installed and enabled converter enterprise plug-in, I have the following questions:

1- is it applicable to do a P2V to the server runnig VC server?

2- what impact would the P2V process have on the physical box being P2Ved? (as it is a production box that will still be running at the time it is being P2Ved).

3- During the P2V Wizard, I will choose to not power on the NICs (disconnected), however, after the P2V process is completed, will the VM be in a running state (powere on) or is it going to be powered off??

4- If I shutdown the physical VC box and started the VM created, would all ESX hosts report to it OK and would I be able to check the status of the new build?? if I then shut the VM down and started the physical VC server with the old build of VC, is there going to be any issues??

[AndreTheGiant]

1- is it applicable to do a P2V to the server runnig VC server?

Yes, but you have to stop some services (at least DB if you have a local DB).

IMHO, is better rebuild your VC (search in this community how to move the VC to VM).

2- what impact would the P2V process have on the physical box being P2Ved?

As I write before, if you have a local DB you have to stop it. And during P2V VC is not working.

Note that also with VC stopped the running VM will works fine.

3- During the P2V Wizard, I will choose to not power on the NICs (disconnected), however, after the P2V process is completed, will the VM be in a running state (powere on) or is it going to be powered off??

The VM is power-off

4- If I shutdown the physical VC box and started the VM created, would all ESX hosts report to it OK and would I be able to check the status of the new build?? if I then shut the VM down and started the physical VC server with the old build of VC, is there going to be any issues??

Be sure to restore you network settings on VM VC. Then You have the same situation of reboot your VC... no downtime on powered on VM and ESX.

Andre

[max2001]

thanks for the reply andre, just need to make sure of two things:

In question 2 you said:

VC is not working---> does that mean I better stop the VC Server service before P2V starts??

also, need to make sure you answered the second part in question 4:

if I then shut the VM down and started the physical VC server with the old build of VC, is there going to be any issues??

[mikeyhoward]

Hey Max,

Andre referred to stopping the DB if it is local, this would result in the VC not running. I would also advise you to stop the VirtualCentre service before stopping the DB services.

If your DB is on a seperate box, then there is no need to stop any of the sevrices.

I don't foresee any issues with shutting down the physical and powering up the VM so long as all network settings are identical and all services started. If the DB is local however this may change things.

I would always say backup your DB anyhow before performing any such work.

Cheers

Mike

Visit: http://www.kickstartesx.com

Rapid deployment, zero intervention

[AndreTheGiant]

if I then shut the VM down and started the physical VC server with the old build of VC, is there going to be any issues??

Be sure to have same name and same IP on your VC.

Andre