Another Linux P2V Converter Issue: GRUB Failure

[toldja]

Hello.

I am trying to p2v an Ubuntu 10.04 x64 server using vCenter Converter Standalone version 4.3 to a host running ESXi 4.1. The layout of my physical server is such:

Disk /dev/sda: 159.5 GB, 159450660864 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19385 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00030a8c

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1   *           1         244     1951744   83  Linux
Partition 1 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sda2             244         730     3906560   82  Linux swap / Solaris
Partition 2 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sda3             730       19386   149853184   83  Linux

No LVM in use. When I perform the conversion it fails at 99%. The converter log shows:

[2011-02-15 15:20:49.588 07708 info 'App'] [task,373] [task-5] -- ERROR -- Convert: converter.fault.CloneFault
(converter.fault.CloneFault) {
   dynamicType = <unset>,
   faultCause = (vmodl.MethodFault) null,
   description = "GrubInstaller::InstallGrub: /usr/lib/vmware-converter/installGrub.sh failed with return code: 127, and message:
/vmware-updateGrub.sh: 38: grub: not found
Error running GRUB
Error running vmware-updateGrub.sh through chroot into /mnt/p2v-src-root
",
   msg = "",
}

I cannot start the VM. I followed instructions I found at http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=102130... and http://communities.vmware.com/message/1395202#1395202 with no success.

What I have found, based on exploring the system after using the Ubuntu 10.04 ISO to boot from, is that the drive structure has been maintained in the new VM, but there is nothing in /boot. I ran apt-get install grub2  and the legacy udpater command as per one of the above threads, and it created a /boot/grub directory but no grub.cfg. I then ran upgrade-grub and it created grub.cfg but still no joy.

The source OS is listed in the compatibility guide so I'm not sure why this isn't working, but I'm hoping someone can help me figure out a way to make this work. I'm so close, and it'd be really great to be able to use this. I appreciate your ideas and suggestions.

Thanks.

[toldja]

A lot of views on this question...

What I have wound up doing is using MondoRescue to create an iso that I then used to boot from within a pre-made VM, and that seemed to work. At least it actually boots into the VM now and doesn't give me an operating system error.

I'm leaving this open though because I'd still like to know if this is something that is normal, due to be fixed, has known workarounds that work, etc. I'd prefer to be able to P2V while my server is online as this is meant to be part of a recovery scenario. I can't be the only one using Standalone Converter to move an Ubuntu 10.04 server onto an ESXi 4 host, can I? :smileysilly:

[Jhabib]

which grub version do you have

[ivivanov]

Converter 4.3 does not support Ubuntu 10.04 because Ubuntu have switched to GRUB2 boot loader, but Converter 4.3 supports only GRUB1. You can try the new Converter 5.0 - this issue should be fixed there.

[billymcc]

Hi ivivanov, this sounds similar to my issue but I am using the vCenter converter 5.0.0. build-470252.

My ubuntu is 10.10, and grub2

Billy

[ivivanov]

Converter 5.0 should support GRUB2, however there are lots of options there (incl. writing custom user scripts) so it is possible to not handle the configuration properly. I would need a task log bundle exported from the failed task (make sure the GUI view is switched to Task view in toolbar, then select the failed task, right click on it and select "Export logs" from the context menu).

[eftsou]

I am trying to do the same but with no success only that failure is at 99% :smileyconfused:

Message is:

"GrubInstaller::InstallGrub: /usr/lib/vmware-converter/installGrub.sh failed with return code: 255, and message:

--> mount: mounting none on /mnt/p2v-src-root/proc failed: No such file or directory

--> Unable to mount /proc to /mnt/p2v-src-root/proc

-->

The VM is created but it fails to boot as you probably understant. I load SLES 10 SP4 DVD and tried to make a repair but it cannot find /root or /boot

I also tried in grub:

grub> root (hd0,1)

grub> setup (hd0) with no success.

i have SLES 10 SP4,  2.6.16.60-0.85.1-smp , GNU GRUB version 0.97. Could a GRUB update solve it? I dont want to miss anything from my physical machine.

[ivivanov]

This is a different issue. Your problem is actually with the 'mount' command while trying to mount /proc under /mnt/p2v-src-root/proc. The reason for this could be that /proc is missing on the target, and a possible reason for this could be that target root folder was not mounted under /mnt/p2v-src-root. Can you export a log bundle for the failed task? You should switch the GUI to task mode, right-click on the task that failed and select "Export logs" command.

[eftsou]

Thanks for the analysis!

Attached you will find the log files.

[ivivanov]

There are no task-specific logs in the archive. Did you switch the GUI to task view before exporting the logs? If not, task-specific logs are not included in the generated log bundle...

[eftsou]

Yes i did.Switched to "Tasks" and "Export Logs" ..Anyhow in the meanwhile i gave it another shot (it failed of course) and here are the new logs.

[Ander666]

Hi,

I have the same issue in Converter 5.0.

FAILED: An error occurred during the conversion: 'GrubInstaller::InstallGrub: /usr/lib/vmware-converter/installGrub.sh failed with return code: 0, and message: Installing GRUB1 on (hd0)... GNU GRUB version 0.97 (640K lower / 3072K upper memory) [ Minimal BASH-like line editing is supported. For the first word, TAB lists possible command completions. Anywhere else TAB lists the possible completions of a device/filename. ] grub> root (hd0,1) Filesystem type is ext2fs, partition type 0x83 grub> setup (hd0) Checking if "/boot/grub/stage1" exists... no Checking if "/grub/stage1" exists... no Error 15:
File not found grub> '

Could it be because of Gentoo? Or should I upgrade the GRUB? Or should I just update grub-install script to recognise 0.97 version?

Thanks

[ivivanov]

So what is the GRUB version on your source system?

[lomax1]

I'm using Converter 5 and Ubuntu 10.10 and have the exact same issue...fought with it for hours and still cant get it past 99%

Started new topic:

http://communities.vmware.com/message/2048199#2048199

[mrentropy]

I would make sure your /boot partition is mounted before beginning the migration. On Gentoo, if you don't modify fstab then /boot isn't automatically mounted when the system starts up.