Question

How to move physical server to Xen SErver

Asked by: ecszone

I really like the offering of Citrix Xen Server.  I understand there is no P2V converter like VMWare has.
I am new to virutalization.  How else can I accomplish this?

Could I use conventional methods? full backup and restore to a VM?
not as easy but accomplishes the same task.  I do not want to have to rebuild all my servers.

Any info appreciated

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Asked On
2009-01-21 at 07:46:38ID24070568
Tags

virutalization virtual machine citrix xen server vmware

Topics

Virtualization

,

Citrix

,

XenServer

Participating Experts
3
Points
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: chuckyhPosted on 2009-01-21 at 08:44:48ID: 23431392

Well you can use vmware converter first to convert it, then convert from VMware to Xen with these steps
http://www.massivegeek.com/technology/vmware-server-to-xen-conversion

 

by: ecszonePosted on 2009-01-21 at 08:56:31ID: 23431503

wow.. that seems overly complicated :(

I dont know vmware. I feel like this was written for vmware users.

Is there another way?  will backup restore work? (hardware will be diff? hows that work?)

 

by: xy8088Posted on 2009-01-21 at 09:19:18ID: 23431706

http://www.vizioncore.com/vConverter-features.html converts physical servers to virtual servers. It works with Xen Server, ESX, etc.

http://platespin.com/products/powerconvert/ also has Citrix XenServer 4.1 listed under supported platforms.

If you don't want to spend any money on the above then I know that you can boot off the Xen Server install CD and do cold conversions of Linux physical machines to VM's. Don't know if that works with Windows though.



 

by: ecszonePosted on 2009-01-21 at 10:45:53ID: 23432547

good posts.. think its what I need.

Ill wait to see if anyone has other options before closing.

thanks

 

by: fabiocePosted on 2009-01-22 at 05:39:28ID: 23439145

With Citrix XenServer Cd free downloaded from Citrix website you can Install the Hypervisor on the physical machine and with the same Cd you can import your physical server in a pre-installed XenServer by P2V procedure.
See the image I uploaded when you select the P2V operation.

 

by: ecszonePosted on 2009-01-22 at 07:37:07ID: 23440215

I was told that is just for linux based systems and not windows?

Of coarse I may never have mentioned we are a windows shop.

 

by: fabiocePosted on 2009-01-22 at 08:10:37ID: 23440600

Well, if you need to import windows machine, you must have the XenConvert new tool that exist in two version 32 and 64 bit.
These the tool features:
Convert a single VHD or an entire virtual machine to a XVA or XenServer:
"VHD to XVA
Convert a single Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) to a XVA.
"VHD to XenServer
Convert from a single VHD to a XenServer.
"VMC to XVA
Convert an entire virtual machine to a XVA.
"VMC to XenServer
Convert an entire virtual machine to a XenServer.
But at the moment I cannot find the link to download it. In the guide i read to talk with the sales. I think Citrix removed the free downloading.

 

by: ecszonePosted on 2009-01-22 at 08:15:24ID: 23440660

SOunds like this is to convert from a vmware VM?

Im trying to convert from a physical server w/ no virutal involved at all.

 

by: ecszonePosted on 2009-01-22 at 12:44:12ID: 23443436

Your right.

mycitrix / downloads / xenserver

act like your going to download xenserver 5

and you then can see xen convert.  This works with windows 32 bit or 64 bit.!

and free!

Thanks for everyones help.

 

by: ecszonePosted on 2009-01-22 at 12:45:36ID: 31537204

Xen Convert is what im lookikng for with the 3rd party options as a fall back method.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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