A word about VMware Converter Standalone
Hi,
I'd appreciate a frank and open word on VMware vCenter Converter Standalone.
I've used it many times to convert easy small servers or workstations before. I never managed to successfully convert any kind of a "real" machine online. The only thing that I got were these "Unknown exception" messages and nothing to go by in search for the problem.
Right now I am trying to convert a Windows Server 2008 (R1) 64bit terminalserver running converter on a Win7 x64 within a virtual machine on the ESXi 5.0 that is also target for the conversion.
Is this something even worth trying, or should I go straight to creating an image and converting from there the way I've done it before?
Thanks,
Ralph
I'd appreciate a frank and open word on VMware vCenter Converter Standalone.
I've used it many times to convert easy small servers or workstations before. I never managed to successfully convert any kind of a "real" machine online. The only thing that I got were these "Unknown exception" messages and nothing to go by in search for the problem.
Right now I am trying to convert a Windows Server 2008 (R1) 64bit terminalserver running converter on a Win7 x64 within a virtual machine on the ESXi 5.0 that is also target for the conversion.
Is this something even worth trying, or should I go straight to creating an image and converting from there the way I've done it before?
Thanks,
Ralph
if you have issues with 5.0, use the following method...
@paulsolov fellow EE Expert has suggested the following method:-
"If all else fails do the following as it has helped me over a hundred times when converter fails
1. Download trial copy of Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
2. Install and take an image of the server
3. Use VMware Converter to convert image (it knows it natively) to a VM"
the above method only works for 4.3.
@paulsolov fellow EE Expert has suggested the following method:-
"If all else fails do the following as it has helped me over a hundred times when converter fails
1. Download trial copy of Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
2. Install and take an image of the server
3. Use VMware Converter to convert image (it knows it natively) to a VM"
the above method only works for 4.3.
ASKER
Where is the converter log file they keep talking about?
Stored on the server, in All Users
scroll to bottom of this document
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/documentLinkInt.do?micrositeID=&popup=true&languageId=&externalID=1016330
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/documentLinkInt.do?micrositeID=&popup=true&languageId=&externalID=1016330
ASKER
Right.
The only real error I found was this:
[04580 error 'Default'] Found dangling SSL error: [0] error:00000001:lib(0):func
The only real error I found was this:
[04580 error 'Default'] Found dangling SSL error: [0] error:00000001:lib(0):func
completely normal all logs have that.
ASKER
I retried the conversion now using the same parameters on the source-side, but chose not VMware infrastructure as target, but VMware workstation. It started the conversion now and is currently at 15%.
Thus I surmise my problem is not my windows source server the way I thought, but my VMware target.
I am running converter on a virtual Windows 7 x64 running also VMware client.
On the same ESXi 5.0 resides the vCenter APP-VM.
My Win7 running the converter has 2 LANs. One is connected to the vcenter and the ESXi, the other to the production machines including the one I am trying to convert.
I am chosing the vCenters IP as target.
Any NoNos so far?
Thus I surmise my problem is not my windows source server the way I thought, but my VMware target.
I am running converter on a virtual Windows 7 x64 running also VMware client.
On the same ESXi 5.0 resides the vCenter APP-VM.
My Win7 running the converter has 2 LANs. One is connected to the vcenter and the ESXi, the other to the production machines including the one I am trying to convert.
I am chosing the vCenters IP as target.
Any NoNos so far?
sometimes less errors using the ESXi server IP address
ASKER
Won't accept that - says the host is managed an I am to use the management server's address.
oh yes, this has been changed with ESXi 5.0 under vCenter management, so you got no choices than to use vCenter.
ASKER
Hmpf - so I gather this:
Mickey-Mouse-Software. Try it - if it fails, try something else.
Is that about right?
Mickey-Mouse-Software. Try it - if it fails, try something else.
Is that about right?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Commercially if we are completing many P2V we use Novell Platespin Migrate. It has many advantages, but its not free.
Download VMware vCenter Converter 5.0 here
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0 Documentation
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.0 User Guide
If you have issues, you may want to consult the following articles and guides
Read fellow Expert Bestway's article.
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