Linux OS migration to ESX 3.5

[gnetaneli]

Hello,

I have a few Linux systems (some on physical hardware, some are virtual machines running on VMware Server) that I need to migrate to ESX 3.5 server. The version of Linux are as follows:

• Red Hat 4.1.0.3

• Red Hat 3.4.2.6

I'd like to know if it possible to migrate these systems to ESX 3.5 without using a third party product to perform the migration. I have an imaging software (Ghost), but that's it.

In ESX 2.5, we had "vmkfstools" that had an "Import" function that was capable of taking a virtual machine from VMware server, but ESX 3.5's version of the same command does not. Is there a replacement function that I can use?

As for the physical Linux server, I would really appreciate it if anyone can tell me what is the best process to migrate it to ESX 3.5.

Thanks,

Guy

[vmmeup]

For your virtual nodes running on Virtual Server you can use the free tool "VMware Converter" to convert them to a format compatible with ESX3.5. You can even have it automatically movce them to the ESX3.5 Server as part of the migration.

For your physical servers you can either image them to a pre-built VM using Ghost, or you can also download the "VMware Converter" boot cd and image them into your ESX 3.5 environment.

[gnetaneli]

We have the free version of converter, but how do I use it on the Virtual Server's virtual machines?

Do I install it on the on the virtual machine directly?

As for the physical server. I tried using the boot CD, and the image portion worked, but the virtual machine never booted properly.

Any idea?

[vmmeup]

If you are running Virtual Server on a windows platform you could, but not necisarry. All you need to do is share the location where your virtual machine files are if you are running it on your desktop. The reason your linux machines are not booting is because they don't know how. You are essentially changing the boot device once it is in the Virtual Environment. You can use a bootable linux distro such as knoppix to fix your boot device.

What type of drives are your physical machines using? SCSI or IDE? I would stick with the same in yoru virtual machine.

[gsnravi]

Hi,

when i use convertor bootable cd in linux machine it is asking for network ip, but it is not saving. which ip we need to give. Pl. help me to convert rhel in esx.

Thanks in advance......Ravi

[Texiwill]

Hello,

For VMware Server VMs use VMware Converter to convert them to ESX.

For Physical Linux systems, it may be better to reinstall within the VM then migrate over your data. This way you start with a fresh version of Linux and gives you a chance to reconfigure everything. If you must use P2V, then the first IP will be the IP of the source host, you will have to set that up first and should be the IP address of the source host when it was fully booted. If instead you are crossing security zones then you should P2V to a laptop then restore from the laptop using COnverter once more.

Best regards,
Edward L. Haletky
VMware Communities User Moderator
====
Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.
Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs -- Top Virtualization Security Links -- Virtualization Security Round Table Podcast

[gsnravi]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I done same like, linux server booted with convertor cd then it was detecting broadcom network drivers and it is asking ip address. i have given linux server ip address including subnet, gateway clicked apply but it was not saving again the ip address is emply. like this i have checked in two servers HP bl 460 and Dell server, in both servers it was showing broadcom drivers and it is not saving.

can you explain what could be the reason. Thanks in advance.

Ravi

[Texiwill]

Hello,

You would need to use VMware Converter 4 at the very least to migrate Linux systems. But other than that, no I do not know why it will not take. Are there any errors at all?

Best regards,
Edward L. Haletky
VMware Communities User Moderator
====
Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.
Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs -- Top Virtualization Security Links -- Virtualization Security Round Table Podcast

[gsnravi]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

Once again I tested it, there was no errors at the time of IP, but it was not saved. Always it shows broadcom adopter only in both servers.

Thanks & Regards

GSN Ravi