Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of MCIT-Libya
MCIT-Libya

asked on

Need to convert P2V on vmware without downtime

Dear Experts,

We have 3 SAP servers based on windows server 2008 R2. They are dependent on each other based on ID. i need to convert them to virtual on Vmware ESX.

The problem is if i use vsphere converter, i am afraid that their ID's will go out of sync plus there will be downtime as these servers are related to manufacturing line and running 24/7. downtime is not possible.

Can you please advise me how i can convert these servers to virtual without downtime?
Avatar of Qlemo
Qlemo
Flag of Germany image

You'll need to face it: You cannot replace a server without downtime. Yes, you can create a VM copy online, but it's data is fixed at the end of the process, and the online convert lasts a lot of time. At switch-over, you'll have to replicate all changes done meanwhile - that can be managed by having transaction log files (MSSQL) respective archive logs (Oracle), but also proper setup to have only those changes after finishing the copy. And it still requires you to freeze the SAP system at some point at switch-over.

A different approach is to take a complete offline copy. That is faster and more safe, but requires more downtime.

A SAP system requiring 24/7 without interruption and not having a failover system is an illusion. How do you perform SAP release changes or patches? This always puts SAP offline for some siginificant time.
I'm going to have to disagree with my fellow Expert Qlemo, because we do it....with a very short cut over Windows, with Production Servers that cannot be shutdown, and we cutover from Physical to Virtual, in the early ours of the morning, and no-one notices the change, and Management are really happy...

Can you please advise me how i can convert these servers to virtual without downtime?

Use, VMware Converter, in SYNC Mode, see my EE Article

HOW TO:  Synchronize changes when completing a P2V or V2V with VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.1

This feature also exists with the latest version of VMware Converter, this is a small window of downtime, using this method, based on your cutover window.

or, we now us the Double Take MOVE, which is much better, because it replicates the changes and syncs, very quickly....it's BRILLIANT!

HOW TO: Migrate physical, virtual and cloud based workloads with real-time replication to VMware vSphere (ESXi) using Double-Take MOVE
Interesting. Never stumbled over the "hidden" Synchronize feature ... Ok, this reduces downtime significantly, but there is still downtime, and my core message remains correct.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
Flag of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
No downtime, no.  Very little down time, yes.  I can move  p to v with under a minute of down time.  but there is still downtime.