VMware 6, moving VMDK files to new file server.

Ya, 2003 machine exists and on the same LUN. I just need the 2 storage drives, not the 2003 C: drive. I didn't power down the 2003 machine, as I just wanted to see if I could see the VMDK files. I was going to power down when I made the move.

I'm assuming I'll have to create my share mappings again?
I'm hoping all the permissions came over with everything in the migration.
VMDK-FILE01.png

"you would not normally see both vmdk files from the datastore view, also the icons are incorrect."  both VMDK? all those are of the 2003 server.

Permissions want come over with any of the migration steps?
So if I recreate the parent shares, I'll be good?
How do you find permissions in 2003 registry to export?

Not sure what the -flat files are and I can delete the .ckt files. There are only 2 I'm concerned with.

Nothing was copied, it is a recovered machine, from Veeam.
I  had to restore it a few weeks ago, as AD became corrupt after going to ESXi 6. We had the dreaded CBT problems, that were fixed in a later patch, BUT we had the problems before the patch.

What's wrong with the files?
I know how to take care of ckt files, just not flat files.

the files do not look like they have been restored or backed up correctly.

other than the logs, non of them do.

compare that restored folder with a normal VM folder, and you will see what I mean.

Hey Andrew, this is a shot of one of my 2012 and 2003 VM's. I do see a mix of the names, is that what you're talking about?

TSN-DUR-FS is the new 2012 machine and is the one I'm migrating the 2003 AD, DNS, DHCP, schema...etc too.  Is that why it's there too?

No really, when we use the vSphere Client datastore browser, it shows icons for the VMX file, and VMDK file, as configuration and disks.

it also shows only a single VMDK file, in the browser view, as your view shows both the flat and vmdk data file.

it just looks like these files are not understood correctly.

this is why you are having difficulties adding another hard disk to a VM, because the client does not seem to understand the files listed.

e.g. if you right  click a VMX file, you should get an option to add to inventory, I'm not sure if you do this, you'll get this message.

see here


also your client just lists them as files, it does not know they are disks or configuration files, this is the issue.

Andrew, here's a shot of both the 2003 and 2012 arranged. Why are the same NVRAM and couple other files coexisting in 2 different directories?

Ok, I see what you're talking about. The file looks broke, the icon is different and no I can't add it. But why is it in two folders? All I did was push the 2012 machine up from my VM workstation into it's own folder.

My google inbox?  where?  sorry, goofed.
VMDK-comparison-of-2003-and-2012-on-same

Andrew what's my work around?

I altered the image!

I think you need to look at the process of how you are moving files, from VMware Workstation to ESXi.

I just checked all the latest VMs I pushed up from VM workstation and they are all normal and running.. All icons have the correct icons with file, nvram, vmdk etc....

something else happened to this VM.

You will need to re-import, convert this VM again.

The recommended method is to use VMware Converter, if you have just file/copied.

I use the converter all the time. I never copy.

There is no way to fix these files? Man that's a lot of work to re-import to fix this.

So these were Converted by VMware Converter ?

You can see the obvious difference between working VMs and these files ?

e.g. it's just not the "view" in the client which incorrect ?

The FILE01 machine, was recovered from Veeam. The 2012 machine, that has files mixed in the same folder, is one I pushed up with the converter from VM workstation. It's not the first, I've pushed up 2008 machine as well.

do these files appear in the datastore browser correctly as virtual machine recognised files, anf not just file.

Some machines show the correct icons and some don't. I guess my real test would be bring down the 2003 server and see if I can connect the drives to the 2012 box.

The machines which do not show he correct icons, are these files been imported or foreign ?

So this 2003 server is currently running, but the icons show incorrectly ?

if the files do not show up correctly you will not be able to add them.

It's always recommended to add vmdk disks when they are OFF, you will definaltey not be able to add when on, because they will be locked.

Andrew: down the server and then the files showed correctly, with icons.

Trying to export NTFS permissions. Have you used this command?
E:\>icacls E:\file shares /save ntfsperms.txt /t /c  
 Problem I'm having is it doesn't like E:\file shares. I can use the E:\ root but it is way to much information.

it works on folders and files, not shares.

So I can't use this to get my NTFS permissions?

http://blogs.technet.com/b/askds/archive/2008/11/24/how-to-back-up-and-restore-ntfs-and-share-permissions.aspx
Backup and Restore of NTFS Permissions...section

why do you need to backup and restore them, if you have moved the 2003 virtual disk, (vmdk), the permissions are already on the disk.

The permissions will come with the VMDK file?!?!?

But still need to add the shares from registry correct?  I backed those up the a file, now I just import correct?

Ok, I added the VMDK drives to the 2012 machine.

Exported
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Shares
and
Imported to the 2012 server and restarted.  I see the shares in regedit on the 2012 machine, just not mapped like the 2003 machine

But I don't see the Shares if I open Computer on the 2012 machine. What did I do wrong?

What about the login.bat files, to map the users machine when logging in? Need to move those too? I know the preferred is GPO but I need to get this done for today.

that depends where the login.bat file is, it's usually on a domain controller in the Sysvol.

did you follow this ?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/125996

do you see any shares if you map manually.

Have the login.bat file resolved.

I got it!

Helps if you modify  your login.bat file to contain the name of the new server in the pathing!  HA!

Thanks very much Andrew!!
2012-shares.png

You are a great help my friend! When I grow up, I want to be as smart as you!

Have a good day.

Regards

Many Thanks for your kinds words.

Just keep learning, learning never stops.

all my regards and love.

Andy