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Can vmdk's be switched between VM's?

I am upgrading a Windows 2003 server to 2008. One of my disks on 2003 server is about 700GB in size. Both machines will remain in production for the time being but can I disconnect the 700GB drive from the 2003 server and connect it to the 2008 server without losing data. I have no problems with redoing the shares and permissions on the 2008 server...I just dont want to have to manually copy 700 GB from one server share to another. The vmdk I want "move" is on a SAN so the actual file doesnt need to physically move at all although I would like to be able to put it in a folder named after the new VM as well as rename the vmdk itself to correctly reflect the VM it's associated too.

Has anyone tried this?

Thanks

loginzhang

Yes. it can be. But some actions need to do.

Base on your description, I think you do not have question about how to connnect SAN between 2003 & 2008 server.

So I just tell you the actions you need to do.

now you create a new VM and use a existed vmdk. you will find a new network card after boot new VM.
you need delete old network card in VM, the configure IP for the new network card.

steps:
1. boot VMs
2. open cmd, type

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
devmgmt.msc

Open in new window

3. show hidden devices and remove old network card
4. set IP for the new netowrk card

those are the actions you need to do, becase you need do these actions, so your VM will not online about 5-10 minutes.

BTW. if you are standalone VM Environment, the best way is using export / import VM function.

If you want have 100% online time during move, you need use VMware vSphere

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Danny McDaniel

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Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

Yes, it can be done, ensure you have valid backups.