copy large files (vmdk's) from esxi 3.5 local datastore to NFS\NAS

[rucky]

i have p2v'ed 3 servers , 250 GB each.

i am tried using vic client to copy the whole vm and it takes too long. and it also goes over our production lan.

i would like to copy these faster , i could use a seprate swhitch and connect my nas and server to same switch.

can anyone guide me to if i can do this from withing esxi ( i know its not supported) but i was using this only to p2v these though so i am not going to loose anything.

anything else you can reccomend?

thanks.

[bulletprooffool]

Easiest way to do it is to use something like FastSCP:

http://www.get-virtual.info/2011/01/20/essential-tools-fastscp/

but if you insist on using the Commandline on the ESX, exbter unsupported mode (F1 -? type unsupported) and use normal Linux syntax like:

http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/copy-command/

[bulletprooffool]

Forgot to mention . . your Datastores will be accesiblee at /vmfs/volume/<datastore>

[conyards]

From the service console the method should be using vmkfstools.

A command syntax similar to vmkfstools -i /volumes/vmdk/PATH/TO/VMDK /volumes/vmdk/PATH/YOU'RE/COPYING_TO/

Should do the trick.

You will need to clean up the source location after the operation and testing, as this is a clone rather than a copy.

Simon

[rucky]

Guys the way i have done it is, I created another Virtual server on the same ESXi host, instaled VIC client , opened the datastore and downloaded to folder\files to a mapped a network drive to the NAS (server and nas connect to the same switch).....

So i get a really good rate 250 GB copied in 4.5 hours  

Basically the traffic stays between physical and virtual network interface.....of the esxi and then through the physial nic of ESXi gets copied to NAS ..

hope this can help someone...

thanks others for yr answers..