VM's compatibility ESX server & VMWARE server/ Backups

[jr_vm]

1- Could I transfer VM's hosted on a ESX server to a VMWARE server? If yes, is there any conversion that needs to take place. PLease explain

2- Is there anyway in ESX server to create backups of the VM's other than snapshots? for example to back up a VM out the current hardware and restore it on the same ESX server or a different one HOW???

THanks

jr

[vmroyale · Accepted solution]

1. Yes you can - take a look here:

2. Without using a snapshot, you could shut down the VM and copy the files directly from the datastore. You could also look into esxpress, vranger or other 3rd party backup tools to get this done.

[jhanekom]

VM Importer has since that article been replaced by VMware Converter: . Give it a go - could be what you're looking for.

As stated by the previous poster, much of what you want to achieve is available through VirtualCenter (cloning/moving of VMs between the same or different ESX servers/data stores.)

To the best of my (limited) knowledge on the topic, if you're interested in making clones of live machines without taking them down, you will need to look to third party ($$$) tools at this point.