VM's migration from standalone ESXi 5.0 to standalone new ESXi 7.0

[naveenbaldwa1]

Hello

I want to move VM's from old standalone ESXi 5.0 to standalone new ESXi 7.0, please let me know what are the options i have and what is the best one? Please help.

Thanks in advance!

[continuum]

A: Tar-gzip the VM-directory on the esxi5 - download archive to admin host - upload to esxi7 - unpack and adjust vmx-file.
B: Export to OVA - download OVA to admin host - upload to esxi7 - cross your fingers while importing OVA.

C: Set up Linux VM on one of the esxis.
- connect Linux to esxi5-source-directory via sshfs readonly.
- connect Linux to esxi7-target-directory via sshfs read/write.
- use cp for vmx-files and vmdk-descriptorfiles
- use ddrescue for flat.vmdks

Option C is the one that will ALWAYS work.
Option A may be the most straight forward
Option B is the one that will be suggested by the fanboys

Ulli

[a_p_]

2 more options:

• Backup & Restore the VM (might require a licensed ESXi host)
• Try https://williamlam.com/2012/06/how-to-copy-vms-directly-between-esxi.html (I havn't tried this with these 2 ESXi versions myself yet)

André

[naveenbaldwa1]

Thanks for all suggestions. OVF tool export/import option looks good.