Cloning machines in ESX + vSphere 4.0

[netlib]

Recently installed ESX 4.0 + vSphere Essentials 4.0, and now trying to Clone a machine.

According the the docs the "Clone" option should appear in the Summary Tab, Commands window. Unfortunately, Clone is not an option.

The only commands I see in the window are Power On and Edit Settings.

I am logged into vSphere as an Aministrator so I think I should have all needed permissions.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[RvdNieuwendijk]

This is probably a limitation of vSphere Essentials 4.0. On my vSphere server the "Clone to New Virtual Machine" option is available in the summary tab of a powered off virtual machine.

Robert

[jayolsen]

Are you using the client to logon to the vCenter server itself or to an individual ESX host?

[RvdNieuwendijk]

I am using the client to logon to the vCenter server.

[golddiggie]

Are you looking to clone a server in order to make another for deployment? If so, I would highly recommend using templates. I've successfully used this for Windows Server 2003, 2008 as well as CentOS 5.3 VM's. In a nutshell, you build your base image VM, apply all the updates, and install any software that will be on all VM's deployed with this template. You then use either the 'Convert to template' or 'clone to template' option (right click on the VM listing, under the host. It will either clone the VM, or convert it into a template. You will need to be sure you have the proper sysprep files on the vCenter host (if you're using vCenter)...

Since I've always had either the Virtual Center Server or vCenter Server in my configuration, I'm not 100% sure if these options will be available without the vCenter Server. There are additional KB articles, and documentation on using templates for VM deployments. It does make things much faster than creating a new VM from scratch. It also makes things much easier than simply cloning a VM since it allows you to customize the VM before you go to use it. You can even have the custom configuration set to request an IP address from you, or to use DHCP. More details are under the Customization Specifications Manager (listed under the Management section from the Home screen)...

VMware VCP4

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[netlib]

Well, Create Template does not appear either. I have a single server that doubles as an ESX server and a vSphere server. I did not do the initial installation, but since I am able to connect with vSphere Client, I'm assuming that vCenter was also installed. Is that a mistaken assumption?

[golddiggie]

Are you connecting directly to the host server, or a different server?

There should be a "Template" item when you pull up the menu after right clicking on the VM (when viewing "VMs and Templates" or the host with the VM's listed under it). If it's not there (at all) then it's probably something provided with vCenter, which you're either not connected to, or don't have.

I've had a vCenter (Virtual Center Server under ESXi 3.5) for as long as I've been running ESX/ESXi in the lab. While it's not a necessary item, it does make things a lot easier when testing prior to going into a production environment. It also helps if you have more than one host to administrate. I am planning on adding a second host, or getting two new hosts, this year. At that point, having vCenter Server will make even more sense.

What are you running as an ESX/ESXi host (hardware, as much info as possible)? Did the install of ESX/ESXi go off without a hitch, or were there any errors?

VMware VCP4

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[jayolsen]

Sounds like you are logging on directly to the host and not the vCenter box.

If you logon and go to Help -> About VMware Infrastructure does it list both a version for VMware Infrastructure Client and VMware vCenter Server?

If you only see the Client then you are probably connecting directly to the host. Think you need to point to your vCenter server when you logon.

[netlib]

The About box lists vSphere Client Version 4.0.0 and VMWare ESX Version 4.0.0.

Is it possible to run vSphere Client without installing vCenter Server somewhere? I assumed I already had it installed, but I guess we never did. So I need vCenter Server in order to clone machines, create templates, etc?

Thanks.

[jayolsen]

Probably would need that for the clones and templates. Here is a link to the install guide for vCenter 4 U1. Update 1 can have non update 1 hosts so even if you haven't upgraded this would be your best bet for install.

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40_u1/vsp_40_u1_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf

[RvdNieuwendijk · Accepted solution]

I think you need a vCenter Server in order to clone machines, create templates, etc. I connected to my vCenter server and to an ESX server and the vCenter server gives some extra options:

Migrate

Clone to a new virtual machine

Clone to template

Robert

[firstamb]

I wanted to open this thread back up instead of creating a new one. (Search button FTW) Alright, I understand on why you should just create a new server to use as a template, that is what I did. However, after deploying roughly 5 VM from this template, I now get a message 'File Dell Template Licenses/Dell Template Licenses.vmdk was not found.' As I said, I am unsure why this happened, because I have already deployed several machines from this template.

Now, with that being an issue, I having another question about Cloning. I have a specific server that has programs I would like to have. Essentially, I want an exact copy of that server to be able to log on too, and run the same programs. We are running vShpere Client 4.0.0 and vCenter Server 4.0.0, so I have the options to clone, etc. etc. So, can I just clone this machine and give it a new name/IP and be done with that, or do I need to build up a new template and configued the whole server again?

If I have confused you, please let me know and I will try to re-phrase. Thanks in advance!

Oscar

Message was edited by: firstamb

[DSTAVERT]

You really need to create a new post. Fully explain your issue providing as much detail as you can. You can certainly refer to earlier posts.