asked on

p2v script

Hello,

We have vsphere here at work and now I need a P2V script to automate importing physical machines into vcenter. I have read the notes over and over but I am falling flat on generating the .xml file needed for converter. We have converter enterprise(the integrated piece in the VIC)
The standard example is close the only extra item is I needed to set the IP information once the conversion is done. I dont know how to piece all of it together. If I could get a script where I just have to fill in the blanks that would be great!

I'm not opposed to using some other method of programming other than the .xml but I need a place to put what datastore, host, etc

Paul Solovyovsky

Does this need to be a one time or on a reoccuring scheduled basis?

ryansoto

ASKER

I have an opalis server(basically a big task scheduling server) that will run the script.
I know that the vsphere client can also schedule tasks which is great, but we have to use this scheduling server(SOX rules )
The script will be run maybe weekly or every 3-4 days.

coolsport00

This question has come up before, with no true available way to do so (unless you've since learned of something Paul). There are just so many variables with this that I don't see how it's possible...IP, sysprep, disk size, resources (CPU, RAM), etc. The best/safest way is either the vSphere Server 'import' (converter) plug-in, or vCenter Converter Standalone tool (https://www.vmware.com/tryvmware/?p=converter&rct=j&sa=X&ei=0QktTMetF6ThnQe8md20Aw&ved=0CBkQqwMoADAA&q=vcenter%20converter&usg=AFQjCNGhJp-UQLiJlP81VQs0SDrrwbjEoQ). I haven't looked into it too much, but maybe you can create a schedule in vCenter? But again, there are so many things to configure as noted above, I'm not sure this can be achieved.

Regards,
~coolsport00

ryansoto

ASKER

There is definately a way to script it and vmware has the tools already you basiclaly use the cli that calls the converter app. The XML file needed passes the parameters such as IP.
I am aware of the scheduled tasks in the Vconsole.

coolsport00

OK...well, I'm all ears (or eyes) :P I'd be interested to see this myself...

~coolsport00

ryansoto

ASKER

Just cant get thee script to work
Basics are you install converter plug in and the cli tools
then run a command prompt and go to the install directory. Mine is C:\Program Files\VMware\Infrastructure\Virtual Infrastructure Client\Plugins\Converter Enterprise 4.1.1

then run converter-tool with the appropriate arguments
converter-tool replaced p2vtool if I am not mistaken

coolsport00

Well, converter is a plug-in within vCenter (virtual center in previous ESX version); I've only been on VMware for going on 2yrs. We implemented it at ESX3.5/VC2.5, so if there was a tool/plug-in within virtual center called P2Vtool, I'm not aware. There is a separate tool as I mentioned above (standalone), but your script would need to call the plug-in as you state. I'm not too much of a scripter, even tho I'm a Sys Admin. I research (or post questions in the Scripting EE Zone), or get help from my IS side to help me when/if needed. :) Can you post your script that you have thus far?

~coolsport00

ryansoto

ASKER

Yeah you can install standalone then install the command line tools(cli)
You then run converter-tool.exe from its resting spot with the needed arguments
I run converter-tool.exe --vcHost "Hostname" --jV test.xml

I then get reading p2v input file from test.xml
enter username for "Host"
enter password for "host"

Then nothing it drops down to the next line. I should get some output.
I know the uname and pass have credentials....

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<p2v version="2.1" xmlns="http://www.vmware.com/v2/sysimage/p2v"
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.vmware.com/v2/sysimage/p2v p2v.xsd"
uninstallAgentOnSuccess="0">
<source>
<liveSpec>
<creds host="XXXX" username="XXXX"
password="XXXX" />
</liveSpec>
</source>
<dest>
<managedSpec datastore="DSXXX" folder="Test" host="XXX" password ="XXX"  vmName="testvm">

<!-- username and password may be omitted, in which case you will be interactively
prompted for credentials -->
<creds host="XXXX" username="XXXX" password="XXXX" />
</managedSpec>
</dest>
<importParams targetProductVersion="PRODUCT_MANAGED" DiskCreateType="MONOLITHIC_FLAT" preserveHWInfo="false" >
<VolumesToClone>



<VolumeCloneInfo resize="false" newSize="38405057024" volumeId="attVol={computer={VOLUME ID HERE},1}" separateDisk = "false"/>* 
</VolumesToClone>* 
</importParams>
<postProcessingParams>
<reconfigParams />
</postProcessingParams>

</p2v>

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coolsport00

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