Question

How to import a VMware Server VM into Vsphere?

Asked by: wlandymore

We have a bunch of VMware Server 2.0 VM's and we now have a Vsphere ESXi box. However, images from the free 'server' edition aren't compatible with the Vsphere ESXi. I figured you can use something like VMware converter to change them, but how can I add them to the inventory of vCenter. Is there an easy way to do this?

Thanks.

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Asked On
2009-07-22 at 07:28:36ID24591078
Topics

VMware

,

Virtualization

Participating Experts
3
Points
250
Comments
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Answers

 

by: arunrajuPosted on 2009-07-22 at 07:41:26ID: 24915460

Download and install VMware vConverter 4.0.1 in a Windows/Linux Box.
Use the Convert Machine Wizard to migrate your VMs from VMware Server 2.0 to ESXi Host.

vConverter Download Link
http://downloads.vmware.com/d/details/converter401/dGhiZHRwaGJ0QGg=

 

by: wlandymorePosted on 2009-07-22 at 07:46:49ID: 24915538

yeah, I have the converter and I know what you're talking about, but is there a part in the converter where you can just give it the IP of the ESX box and then it will add it to the inventory for you?

 

by: ryder0707Posted on 2009-07-22 at 07:47:07ID: 24915542

the easiest way is using the vmware converter :)

you can do it online(hot cloning)
source vm is running and clone to a target esx host

or you can do it offline(cold cloning)
convert the vmdk esx format
using vi client, browse your datastore and copy to there
if you have problem(like previous version of esxi)
you can try run vmkfstools -i /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/SAV01.vmdk /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/SAV01_new.vmdk to make it compatible

 

by: wlandymorePosted on 2009-07-22 at 07:49:30ID: 24915583

it's not really the conversion I'm worried about...I've used the Vmware converter before...I just want to know how to get it to show up in the ESX box because it's not like server where you just 'add it to the inventory'.

Thanks.

 

by: arunrajuPosted on 2009-07-22 at 07:51:56ID: 24915614

That sounds strange.
When you use the vConverter to migrate a VM from Source to Destination, it will automatically create the new instance in the Destination (ESX Host).

What kind of problems are you experiencing ?

 

by: ryder0707Posted on 2009-07-22 at 07:56:10ID: 24915680

you are correct, if you do it the offline method, you can right click the vmx file and register to esx host, it will add to inventory just like vmware server
but for online method, it should register the vm for you

 

by: za_mkhPosted on 2009-07-22 at 09:02:14ID: 24916626

My experience with VMWare converter is that when the target of a P2V is an ESX or ESXi server, the VM will automatically be added to the inventory of that ESX/i Server or cluster. Can't understand why your's doesn't do that. To do that you must choose as your destination/target "Virtual Infrastructure Machine" when doing the P2V

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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