Build test environment

[wfloke]

Hi guys, would like to seek advice on below.

Current production setup consists of a vCenter>1 Datacenter>1 Cluster of 3 ESXi hosts (with many VMs).

I would need to build a isolate test environment for some VM hosted in above.

Can I build a standalone ESXi and add to above vCenter? (without making changes to existing cluster)
After that clone those VMs that i needed to this standablone ESXi.
When done, remove this standalone ESXi from the vCenter.

Will there be any impact to the current production setup?

Or should i use the vmware converter to archive this? not sure can vmware converter copy the VM from current production vCenter to a standalone ESXi?

Thank you in advance.

[RajeevVCP4]

Yes you can add ESXi host but  make sure DRS should be disabled or in manual mode at the time of this task

For vm migration. storage should be share other wise you need to shut down vm 

there would not be any impact

[virtualinca · Accepted solution]

Hi @wfloke 

1. I would need to build a isolated test environment for some VM hosted in above.

You can add your test host to the existing vCenter as a standalone host. Don't add it to the existing cluster, you can either create a new cluster or even a new data center and put your standalone there. Or you can also add it to your existing data center and just leave it out of the cluster. There will be no impact on a production cluster.

2. Can I build a standalone ESXi and add to above vCenter? (without making changes to existing cluster)

Yes you can, see above.

3. After that clone those VMs that i needed to this standablone ESXi. When done, remove this standalone ESXi from the vCenter.

Will there be any impact to the current production setup?

If you leave your standalone host out of cluster, there will be no impact to the production cluster.

4. Or should i use the vmware converter to archive this? not sure can vmware converter copy the VM from current production vCenter to a standalone ESXi?

If you don't want to add your standalone host to the vCenter, you can use converter to do V2V or P2V. Also copying VMs from vCenter infrastructure to ESXi is possible. However, with a simple standalone you will have less options, so it is better to add it to existing vCenter.

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