VMDK migration to new location

[naveen1701]

I have installed standalone ESXi 3.5.0 and VM are stored at DAS box, i need to migrate the VM's from DAS to SAN environment, Can you suggest how to do this

[mlubinski]

is this host connected also to this SAN?

If yes:

a) Use Storage VMotion to migrate VMDK to san

b) Shutdown VM, Migrate (choose to move storage)

b) Use VMware Converter to migrate VMDK to SAN

If not:

a) Use VMwareConverter to migrate this VM to SAN

b) use ghost to create clone, and restore on SAN (via VMware Converter)

[VMmatty]

If you're using the free license of ESXi and not a paid version, then more than likely your best bet is to use VMware Converter to move the VMs over. It is free and easy to use.

http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/

[mlubinski]

is this host connected also to this SAN?

If yes:

a) Use Storage VMotion to migrate VMDK to san

b) Shutdown VM, Migrate (choose to move storage)

b) Use VMware Converter to migrate VMDK to SAN

If not:

a) Use VMwareConverter to migrate this VM to SAN

b) use ghost to create clone, and restore on SAN (via VMware Converter)

[naveen1701]

Its a free ESXi version

[VMmatty]

If you can present the SAN storage to that free ESXi host, then you can simply power the VMs down and use the Datastore Browser to move the VM files across. But if you can't withstand extended periods of downtime when the files are copying, then I would use VMware Converter.