Move guest OS off a failed ESX host

[Pcparamedix]

If an ESX 3 server in my farm has a some sort of catastrophic failure how can I recover the guest OS's that the failed server was hosting.

Not using HA or DRS yet.

I have 8 ESX servers in my farm and 9 x 500GB luns shared to all servers and all guest OS files are stored on SAN.

[lbourque]

Register the VM on another server (go to Configuration --> Storage --> choose the datastore --> browse for the VM and right click --> choose Add to Inventory) and bring it up there.

[esiebert7625]

Here's the procedure I documented, also see this post...

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=86548&tstart=100

How do I register an existing Virtual Machine in VirtualCenter? – If you have an existing VM that was removed from VirtualCenter and just need to add it back in then follow the below steps:

• Select the ESX server in the VirtualCenter that the VM files are located on

• On the summary tab right-click on the datastore that the VM files are located on and click “Browse Datastore”

• Select the folder that the VM files are located in

• Right-click on the VMX file for the VM and select “Add to Inventory”

• Select a name and location for the VM and click Next

• Select the Host or Cluster for the VM and click Next

• Select a Resource Pool and click Next

• Click Finish and the VM will now appear in VirtualCenter

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

[Pcparamedix]

Before I add the guest OS back into my inventory I have to remove it from my inventory. When I right click on the VM that is on the failed server I don't get the option to remove from inventory.

Do I have to remove the failed server from my farm first.

[lbourque]

Yes. Once removed from inventory you should be able to add it back under a different ESX host.

[Pcparamedix]

I can't remove the failed server from my farm. Error is

"The operation is not allowed in the current state". How do I remove the filed ESX server from my farm?

[lbourque]

What do you mean "failed state"? is it powered off?

What version of ESX and what version of VC is it?

[Pcparamedix]

Yes no power. VI 3.0 and VC 2.0

[VirtualNoitall]

Hello,

I answered an almost identical question on the following post: http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=86548&tstart=100

Have a quick look but the answer is Yes. Remove the host and then add the virtual machines back in the VI client by navigating the datastore on a running ESX host.

[esiebert7625]

I actually posted the link to that thread up above, I think he was having a problem removing the ESX host as mentioned in your answer.

[VirtualNoitall]

OK,

What is the status of the ESX host as far as VC is concerned? Disconnected?

[Pcparamedix]

If my ESX server is down, no power to the server. How do I remove the ESX server from the VC inventory ??

[aozm48 · Accepted solution]

You first need to disconnect the ESX host, (right click, disconnect), once this is done, you can then remove the host from the server.

Daniel

[Pcparamedix]

Thank-you

Disconnect was the step I was missing.

[VirtualNoitall]

You are welcome for the 6 points then