zorawar_bahadur
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How to upload a VM from Workstation to ESX server
Hi All,
I have a virtual machine running inside a VMware workstation on my laptop.
I want to get it running inside an ESX server3i running on a Dell server.
How do I do it?
How can I import the complete Virtual machine from my laptop's workstation into the ESX server? Please note the laptop and the Dell ESX server are not on the same LAN so i will have to basically put all the files into a USB and then upload it to ESX server datastore.
I already tried converter standalone client but it converts files into .OVA format. where as the ESX server only accepts .OVF virtual appliance format.
I converted the .OVA files into .OVF but the ESX server wont accept that as it gave an XML Envelop error.
So How do I get the VM from my laptop running inside VMware workstation to get inside the ESX server?
I have a virtual machine running inside a VMware workstation on my laptop.
I want to get it running inside an ESX server3i running on a Dell server.
How do I do it?
How can I import the complete Virtual machine from my laptop's workstation into the ESX server? Please note the laptop and the Dell ESX server are not on the same LAN so i will have to basically put all the files into a USB and then upload it to ESX server datastore.
I already tried converter standalone client but it converts files into .OVA format. where as the ESX server only accepts .OVF virtual appliance format.
I converted the .OVA files into .OVF but the ESX server wont accept that as it gave an XML Envelop error.
So How do I get the VM from my laptop running inside VMware workstation to get inside the ESX server?
You will need to use the VMWare converter. It wil allow you to convert and copy directly to your VMFS store.
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@Paulsolov
Is vConverter the same thing as VMware vCentre Converter StandAlone client?
Is vConverter the same thing as VMware vCentre Converter StandAlone client?
That's correct
ASKER
Ok. So the whole trick is that the vConverter should be on a machine which has IP connectivity to the ESX server and then it can convert it.
I will do it and get back to you for any questions. the VM is like 9 Gig so it will take time.
I will do it and get back to you for any questions. the VM is like 9 Gig so it will take time.
Shouldn't take too long, on a GB network should take about 1GB per minute unless it is something like a webserver with a lot of small files.
Once you convert to a VM you'll need to upgrade vMWare tools from the ESX host.
Once you convert to a VM you'll need to upgrade vMWare tools from the ESX host.
ASKER
Actually I have to first upload the complete VM files which are 27GB to a host on the ESX server.
Uploading to that host is what takes up most of the time.
Uploading to that host is what takes up most of the time.
Let me make sure I'm understanding this. You will upload the VMs to a guest VM on the ESX host? If so no problem, just want to make sure you I have an idea of where you're putting the files. If it's a guest you're putting on just intall the vConverter on it and point to the ESX host.
You could also upload to anohter physical server or workstation and do it from there as well
You could also upload to anohter physical server or workstation and do it from there as well
ASKER
Yes I have two plans
1. Copy the VMs to USB drive. Upload it to a guest on the ESX server. Install vCentre on the guest and then upload the VMs to the ESX.
2. Take my laptop and plug it in the LAN switch of the ESX server. Use vConverter and point it to the ESX server.
Which one is better?
1. Copy the VMs to USB drive. Upload it to a guest on the ESX server. Install vCentre on the guest and then upload the VMs to the ESX.
2. Take my laptop and plug it in the LAN switch of the ESX server. Use vConverter and point it to the ESX server.
Which one is better?
You do not need vCenter to use vConverter, the standalone will work just fine. It may actually be faster if you do this from a physical machine that you place the VM files on because if it's in the guest it will read/write from the same system. If you do it from a separate system you split up the I/O.
The reason the USB may be faster is that if your laptop has 5400RPM drive it may be slower than an external USB drive which are normally 7200RPM and larger cache
The reason the USB may be faster is that if your laptop has 5400RPM drive it may be slower than an external USB drive which are normally 7200RPM and larger cache
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ASKER
*****Keep in mind that you are converting a windows VM that is not a "server enterprise" you will have to reactive it as the hardware was changed.******
Ok that is a good point. I did not think about that. This means trouble.The VM is right now running inside my VMware workstation on a HP laptop. The VM is a Windows server 2003.
The ESX server is running on a dell machine.
Would the windows server 2003 VM stop working once moved to the ESX server?
Ok that is a good point. I did not think about that. This means trouble.The VM is right now running inside my VMware workstation on a HP laptop. The VM is a Windows server 2003.
The ESX server is running on a dell machine.
Would the windows server 2003 VM stop working once moved to the ESX server?
it will require new activation.
just like you did the first time. either online or over the phone.
i would go with over the phone as you can easily trick the phone system and the person on the line if you have exceed your activation limit by saying you had to replace the mother board due to a failure (which will in return requires new activation) ;)
just like you did the first time. either online or over the phone.
i would go with over the phone as you can easily trick the phone system and the person on the line if you have exceed your activation limit by saying you had to replace the mother board due to a failure (which will in return requires new activation) ;)
ASKER
ok thanks for this help.
1) So the best way you recommend is to upload the VM files (.vmdk etc) to a guest host on the ESX server and convert using vConverter standalone client?
2) Or connect my laptop to the ESX server LAN and use vConverter on my laptop to do the job?
1) So the best way you recommend is to upload the VM files (.vmdk etc) to a guest host on the ESX server and convert using vConverter standalone client?
2) Or connect my laptop to the ESX server LAN and use vConverter on my laptop to do the job?
Option 1.
Once you've uploaded (via USB thumb drive or FTP) just run the vConverter.
It will work faster and you don't have to do it while you're there if you choose to upload via FTP or some file sharing website.
Once you've uploaded (via USB thumb drive or FTP) just run the vConverter.
It will work faster and you don't have to do it while you're there if you choose to upload via FTP or some file sharing website.
ASKER
ok thanks.
Will try it tomorrow or Monday.
Will try it tomorrow or Monday.
Oh and one more important trick, if you want to clone this new server 2003 VM you can do it once its on the ESX via the vConverter (From ESX to ESX) but you will need to change the SID of it and you can use this great tool from microsoft to do it.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897418.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897418.aspx
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and on another note. if you have direct access to the esx server (its under your control) and you still have a valid service agreement with them i would recommend upgrading to esx 4.0, or the esxi 4.0.
ASKER
Ok guys here are the results.
I connected to the network and converted the VM files from my laptop and pointed them to the ESX server.
Its took around 2 hours to do so.
So far windows has not given any licensing error. DevixIT, is that some thing I will get in the future?
The only problem I am having is that instead of occupying just the actual space, the hard disk have occupied the complete 80 GB space.
In VM workstation, you have the option of increasing the disk space as the disk grows up to a limit. Is that option missing in ESX server?
.
I will split the points between Paul, Wraithbone and DevixIT
I connected to the network and converted the VM files from my laptop and pointed them to the ESX server.
Its took around 2 hours to do so.
So far windows has not given any licensing error. DevixIT, is that some thing I will get in the future?
The only problem I am having is that instead of occupying just the actual space, the hard disk have occupied the complete 80 GB space.
In VM workstation, you have the option of increasing the disk space as the disk grows up to a limit. Is that option missing in ESX server?
.
I will split the points between Paul, Wraithbone and DevixIT
No you schould not get any error in the future if you havent already got it.
Thanks for reporting back, its always great to know it oworked :)
in esx 4.0 this is an option you can enable called thin provisioning.
You can enable it under disk options in the vmware converter. If you want to enable it you will have to use the vmware converter again, and convert it directly to the machine again.
I hope this helps :)
Thanks for reporting back, its always great to know it oworked :)
in esx 4.0 this is an option you can enable called thin provisioning.
You can enable it under disk options in the vmware converter. If you want to enable it you will have to use the vmware converter again, and convert it directly to the machine again.
I hope this helps :)
ASKER
Thanks Wraith.
youre most welcome.
ASKER