How to change the storage

[gsp1985]

Hi,

There are three storage now. e.g.(Storage A, StorageB, StorageC)

I created the virtual machine and configured the storage as StorageA. (This server is running now)

But i would like to change the storage A to B.

The device of A is Local Disk and B is iSCSI Disk.

Would you please guide me how to change?

Thank you.

[schepp]

Hi and welcome to the communities,

If you have a vCenter and at least the ESXi standard license, you can perform a storage vMotion while the VM is running.

If you don't have that, you need to shut the VM down and do a cold migrate. For both way, right click the VM and select migrate. In the next window choose datastore and follow the wizard.

Regards

Tim

[gsp1985]

Hi Tim,

I'm sorry that this is the first time to play with VM so let me confirm you some points.

I shut the VM down but couldn't find "migrate". Is it the different name....? My version is 5.1.0.

Thanks.

[vThinkBeyondVM]

In addition to above response.

From VI client you can get one more option to move VM files folder to other datastore connected to same host.

Plz refer attachment with screenshot:

[gsp1985]

Hi Vicky,

I could open the Datastore Browserr.

1 ) Should i power off the server when i move the folders to other storage?

2) There are three folders under root now. Should i move the folder "1. vSphere Management Assistant"?

1. vSphere Management Assistant

2. ISO (this is the iso which i used for install)

3. TESTMACHINE (the virtual machine name which i created)

Tank you.

[vThinkBeyondVM]

Hi Friend,

If you do not have vCenter server then you can not use any option that "Tim" has specified.

I think, you are connected to your ESXi host through vSphere desktop client (aka VI client).

If you want to move your VM files folder, you have to follow below steps.

1. shutdown the VM

2. unregister the VM (right click the VM and click "Remove from inventory"

3. Go to datastore in which this VM files are there i.e. in your case starage A (which is local disk) , click on the VM files folder, and click on the option that I have specified on last screen shot.

4. Once you click on move option,. you will get list of other storage attached to that ESXi host. slect Storage B. click ok ..migration will start.

5. Once the move operation is over, register your VM again. 

Let me know if you face any other issue.

[vThinkBeyondVM]

The procedure above was given for migrating VM i.e. in your case, TEST MACHINE.

If you want to move other folders i.e ISO file and vSphere Management Assistant folder, then you can straightaway click on these and move. These files are not related to your VM.

[gsp1985]

Hi Vicky,

I  did that procedure but one thing is weird.

When i see the resources on VM, it shows Srotage A and B.

I moved the folders but still remaining. Why...?

Should i do the following thing?

1. Choose the storage A.

2. Right click and Click "Unmount"

Thanks.

[vThinkBeyondVM · Accepted solution]

No not needed to unmount storage A. Plz do not do that.

It seems, still all VM files are not migrated to storage B.

how many VMDKS (VM disks) are attached to your VM?

Can you please attach all the screen shots that you are going through?

1. VM edit settings screen shot.

2. Storage A screen shot ..

any other screen shot that you are going though...

[gsp1985]

[gsp1985]

Attached 4 pics.

In this case Storage A is "datastore1" and B is "San1-lun1".

[vThinkBeyondVM]

I could see ISO file is still attached to VM. Screen shot: CD/DVD drive:

Please disconnect that ISO from VM as you have already installed GOS from that ISO  : Select "client device" radio button " and click OK.

That is the reason it shows both datastore on resources tab.

Once you disconnect, you can either delete it from storage A or move to B after disconnecting.

[gsp1985]

I did the step and shows only San-lun1 now.

Thanks for your support!