Move VMs to new storage device

[asawick]

I recently added an IBM DS3200 SAS storage device to my VMware ESX 3.5 server. I'm currently running 6 VMs locally on the server and I would like to move the VMs to the new storage device. I've formatted the drives and the ESX server sees them . What is the easiest way to move the VMs that currently reside locally to the external storage device?

Thanking you in advance,

Al

[jayolsen]

You can probably use svmotion to move the disks of the VMs with no down time.

Also you could shut down the VMs and right-click Migrate and select to move the disk files.

[derekn]

You could always move them in a down state, just power them down, then move "migrate" the vm's

Don't you have to have a storage vmotion network defined for storage vmotion, seeing how it's just one host, how would you set that up?

-go easy

[asawick]

I downloaded and installed SVmotion v1.0 but when I try to use it I get the error message Vpxclient has stopped working and it closes the program. This happens when i select Apply on the Migrate Storage page.

I've tried this on my Vista machine and a Windows 2000 Server machine. Both running VI Client 2.5.

[eziemann]

If you don't have the vmotion license then you would have to have them powered down.

If you are keeping the storage on the same host, just moving datastores, there is no need for the VMotion network and kernelswitch.

[asawick]

Ahh...that explains it. I do not have a license for VMotion. I'll try powering down the VM first and then moving the VM.

[asawick]

I powered down the VM and then tried to move it with the same results.

[eziemann]

Skip the sVMotion plug in and just try a migrate.

Then select the same (only) host and then there is an option to move the storage location. Point it to your new datastore.

[jayolsen]

If you have it powered down right click and select migrate. Should open up the wizard to move and you can select the new storage location

[asawick]

I don't seem to see that option. I'm fairly new to VMware so I apologize if I'm missing something obvious.

[asawick]

I tried that but go the 'Vpxclient has stopped working' error message again.

I'm going to try downloading the VM files from the Datastore Browser menu to my PC and then moving them to the new storage. This should work, right?

[jayolsen · Accepted solution]

I guess you could also try using Converter

[asawick]

I didn't think of that. I'll give that a shot.

[asawick]

That did the trick!

I've read that you shouldn't convert Windows Domain Controllers. I'm currently running a DC set up as a VM. Would you recommend using the Converter to move this VM?

[jayolsen]

I wouldn't do it in a powered on state. Generally when doing a physical migration to virtual it is best and easiest to build a new one. Since it is already virtual I'm not sure it makes a difference, I'm guessing if you did it powered off it would be fine.

[derekn]

I still don't understand why migrate doesn't work? What version of esx are you running?

[asawick]

I'm running ESX 3.5. I have the Foundation license.

[derekn]

Then you should be able to migrate without a problem when the vm is turned off.

Migrate -->Select Destination (Same host) --> Select Resouce Pool --> then "move virtual machine configuration files and virtual disks" (select SAN here) --> Ready to complete FINISH.

It's that easy.

[asawick]

I powered off the DC and moved it using the Converter and it worked great. No problems at all.