VirtualCenter Service

[gogogo5]

When VMware VirtualCenter Server service is started does it lock any files?

[sbeaver]

Which file are you asking about specifically?

[gogogo5]

that's my question, which file(s) are locked if any?

[esiebert7625]

VC is an application so it's executables and dll's will be in use when it is running. (vpxd.exe, tomcat5.exe) It does not lock any files on the ESX hosts themselves. It also opens it's database file and has a lock on some of the tables. You can use process monitor to see what files are in use on the VC server.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/ProcessesAndThreads/processmonitor.mspx

[gogogo5]

thanks, I am evaluating a new feature in v6.6 of Platespin PowerConvert whereby you can "protect" a physical server using an initial P2V conversion followed by scheduled incremental transfers. This would be a great way to protect our physical VC server.

I am trying to establish whether the VirtualCenter service needs to be stopped to free up any local files so that the transfer can take place to give a consistent replica. I know I will have to stop the MSSQLSERVER service for the main database hence asked if the VirtualCenter service had any other similar locks.

cheers.

[esiebert7625]

I really do not think you will have a problem, the exe's that are in use should not have a problem being copied. You can test it by trying and copy vpxd.exe to another directory while it is running.

[gogogo5]

I can indeed copy the vxpd.exe. Ok, I'll leave it for now and see how the incremental transfers go.

thanks ppl..

[LoveGolf]

I attended one of PlateSpin's seminars on this and they say any locked files are somehow copied -- also they showed that they can control selected services if needed. You may want to check with their support group to be sure.