Question from a Vmware newbie : Migrating from Workstation to ESXi

[SaidBmz]

Hi guys,

As a Vmware newbie, I'd need some guidance on the best way to migrate from Workstation to ESXi with the least downtime possible.

Here is the thing : we are a very small company and we have a server running Windows 2008. On top of it, there is Workstation 8 with a couple of VMs. My boss asked me to remove the (Windows 2008+Vmware Workstation) Bundle as the OS and put ESXi as the server's OS instead, without disrupting the services provided by the VMs.

Is it possible ? What is the easiest way ?

My guess would be to export the VMs somewhere, remove Windows server 2008, install ESXi, import the VMs. But how to do that with the least downtime ?

Thanks in advance for any help you could provide !

Said

[crawfordm]

You would have to move the VM's to a different host while you rebuilt the host that they are on now without disrupting any service.

You can use VMware vCenter Converter Standalone to export/import the VM's when you have determined when and where you want to move them.

[akanjic]

What version of Workstation are you using?

Where are the VMs? On separate disk, NAS?

[SaidBmz]

I'm using Workstation 7.1.4.

The VMs are on the server's hard disk (no NAS).

[crawfordm]

I think your only option is to export the VM's to an external hard drive, rebuild the server and then import the VM's using VMware converter.

[SaidBmz]

So, from what I understand, there's no way to perform the migration without downtime, is there ?

[crawfordm]

Because you are not using shared storage and do not have a second host online, there is no way to avoid downtime.

[WoodyZ]

... and put ESXi as the server's OS instead

Before doing anything you need to make sure that the intended ESXi Host is compatible with ESXi!   Have a look at: ESXi Hardware Requirements

Also, have you ever used ESXi?  Are you using vSphere?  Are you properly prepared to use ESXi?

[SaidBmz]

I think I'm ok with the hardware requirements

I've never used ESXi and I'm not using vSphere. What do you mean by properly prepared to use ESXi ?

[WoodyZ]

Right now you're able to do whatever you need to with the VMs from creating and managing them directly from the Host.  That will not be the case with ESXi as you'll have limited management directly from the ESXi Host and will need to use a secondary system with appropriate ESXi management software installed.

Have you read Managing VMware ESXi?