move VM from 1 host to another

[marshallmathers]

hello i have create a windows VM and sysprep'd it. (will be using it as a template)

it currently resides on ESXi host #1

I need to move it to ESXi host #2

both hosts are licensed with the trial keys for now......

i do not have shared storage - local only

how can i move VM from Host 1 > Host 2 ?

This is just for testing . thx.

[diegodco31]

Hi

You can export vm and after import to other host

[marshallmathers]

i dont have shared storage what do i export to ?

[a_p_ · Accepted solution]

See whether https://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2012/06/how-to-copy-vms-directly-between-esxi.html  is an option for you.

André

[diegodco31]

You can to export to on external Hard Drive.

[rkoria2007]

you can do one thing

Convert vm in to template then upload in to content library and publish content library copy that link you can use password authentication as well, after that  go on other esxi under content library subscribed content library paste that link which we have published externally now download vm template and convert into vm. sorry for my rough English.

Thanks

[marshallmathers]

what are the steps for export to usb hard drive

how do i get the host to read the hard drive ?

[rkoria2007]

Hello,

you should try veeam backup. Performing Quick Migration - Veeam Backup Free Edition Guide please check the link.

Thanks

[Dave_the_Wave]

I believe vCenter was made to do what you want.

Without it on just plain ESXi hosts, you can browse the storage and copy files off a host to your desktop computer, then copy them from your desktop computer onto another different host, then re-add the .vmx to Inventory.

[marshallmathers]

@Dave_the_wave

This is the method i have gone with - One thing i did notice is that my source VM was 'Thin Provision' disk

However it copied to my Workstation (using WinSCP) and its now 'thick - provision'disk

why did this happen ?

[a_p_]

However it copied to my Workstation (using WinSCP) and its now 'thick - provision'disk

Thin provisioning is a VMFS file system feature. Copying the files to another file system that doesn't support this feature will inflate the files (as in your case).

Why don't you go with export/import as OVF (as mentioned by other users), or the option to directly copy the VMs via OVFTool (as in my previous reply)? Both options will provide options to create the VM on the target host with thin provisioned virtual disks.

André

[marshallmathers]

i was doing the "download to workstation" and "upload from workstation" method using WINSCp so that i could see exactly what speed i was getting and how much time was remaining on the transfer.

do either of your suggestions provide this?

[a_p_]

Not like WinSCP, but they will allow you to achieve your goal.

André

[marshallmathers]

the ovftool looks slick . i will try that one.