Migrating VM's from ESX 2.5.3 - to - ESX 3.0.1

[ng2006]

I'm very new to ESX server, and was curious as to whether or not there is a quick way to migrate machines from ESX server 2.5.3 to 3.0.1. I've searched, but I can't really find exactly what I'm looking for. Any help, links, docs, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Nick

[epping]

do a search under Dmotion

[esiebert7625]

Check out these links...

Virtual Infrastructure 3: Beta to Production - http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/mdc5173.pdf

Understanding Virtual Infrastructure Upgrade Moving to the new ESX 3.0/VC2.0 Release - http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9809.pdf

Details of What's New and Improved in VMware Infrastructure 3 - http://www.vmware.com/support/vi3/doc/whatsnew_esx301_vc201.html

Vmware Infrastructure 3 Release Notes - http://www.vmware.com/support/vi3/doc/releasenotes_esx301_vc201.html

Planning a Upgrade to Vmware Infrastructure 3 - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_upgrade_plan.pdf

Vmware ESX 3.x Server and VirtualCenter 2.x Upgrade Guide - http://www.rtfm-ed.co.uk/docs/vmwdocs/ESX3.x-VC2-upgradeguide.pdf

Upgrading your VI2 to VI3 - http://www.vmware-tsx.com/download.php?asset_id=25

Upgrade from VMFS2 to VMFS3 manually - http://www.ozvms.com/content/view/58/9/

Dmotion –

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=537909

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=490197

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=491752

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=613306

Fyi…if you find this post helpful, please award points using the Helpful/Correct buttons.

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Thanks, Eric

Visit my website: http://vmware-land.com

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[Teiva · Accepted solution]

As you may know esx 3.0.1 wants VMs to be stored in a newer version filesystem VMFS3, as oppose to 2.5.x which uses VMFS2. To migrate your VMs, you will need to physically relocate them. This is how I would approach it.

1. Shutdown your Virtual machines

2. Use VirtualCenter to "migrate" or relocate your vms (disks) to the new VMFS3 Datastore.

3. Either upgrade your VMs to VM3 or you can choose not to upgrade. It is best that you choose to upgrade. See admin guide for the conversion process.

4. Check to make sure all the hardware are correct, especially your NIC.

5. Bring your VMs online

I hope this helps.

T

[Ken_Cline]

You can actually do an upgrade in place (although I wouldn't recommend it) - so you don't have[/i] to relocate the VMs.

You can also use dMotion to migrate a running VM from a VMFS2 volume to a VMFS3 volume. You'll need to shut the VM down at some point to upgrade the virtual hardware...but you definitely shorten the outage window.

[boydd]

You can also use 3rd party utilities to accomplish this task. They tend to be a little more flexible.

Try Vizionores esxMigrator (Work very well) and Platespin PowerConvert.

DB

[Teiva]

thank you ken for your input about dMotion. I hope I get a chance to use it.

[Teiva]

Hi Nick, after reading the document below (link) and re-reading your post, I realised a few things. When you say "migrate machines" do you mean to say you want to perform a full upgrade; esx host, datastore and VMs ?

Eitherway, there is not one easy answer for your migration because it depends on many factors. I hope you find the upgrade plan usefull, as I did...that is if you have not yet read it :-). I realised that the easiest path to an upgrade is through an solid upgrade plan and good backout, which this document has provided me with many answers.

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_upgrade_plan.pdf

isiebert put some usefull links which has assisted me also.

G'luck

Teiva

Message was edited by:

Teiva

[ng2006]

Thanks for the help. I installed Virtual Center and chose to migrate to the new ESX 3.0.1 server.