Clone a Vm on single ESX Host

[tyu7]

Hello

We have a live system on a single host and I wondered if it's possible to clone a VM while it is on? Does it take long?

How can it be done, so that I have a copy of this machine?

Any help appreciated!

[java_cat33]

To clone a running VM you must be using ESX 3.5 Update 2 and Virtual Center 2.5 Update 2. The time it takes to clone a VM depends on a number of factors such as the size of the VM you are cloning, network and disk I/O etc

[tyu7]

Thanks for the confirmation!

Is there anything I can do while on a single host for a complete backup or image copy?

Thanks

[weinstein5]

to add even if you do have VC you will not be able to clone while the vm is powered on - the only to make a copy of vm on a single host is by copyin the .vmdk and -flat.vmdk - to a directory and build a new vm but when it comes to the virtual disk use an existing virtual disk - do not forget to sysprep the new vm -

[tyu7]

thanks Weinstein...

Can do the following:

shut down the live VM

Copy the VM folder to a backup location

if the live VM was to crash or had any problems, add to inventory the backed up version?

wouls this be ok? or will I have to use a different process for making the backup copy live?

thanks

[weinstein5]

That should work - only thing to be aware of is because you have placed the vm on a new datastore the links to the virtual disk will be broken and will need to be fixed following the procedure I outlined-

If you found this helpful please do not forget to award points

[tyu7]

thanks, strangely, I cannot see the button to award points.

[weinstein5]

there should be buttons next to each answer saying the answer was helpful or answered your question -