jdff
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Physical to Virtual with no infrastructure
I need to virtualize a physical windows server, however, I only have the actual server to perform this task, so right now I have windows 2008 on the raid and the ideas it to virtualize the current OS to a file then install vmware 6.0 and move the image file to the server, any ideas? Last time I did this I had to virtualize to an infrastructure which made things way easier, now I have to use the same server.
You can alwyas virtualise it to a bunch of files on a Windows Share ?
You have NOTHING ? not even a WIndows Laptop ?
Easy job, VMware Converter to virtual machine files on a WIndows Share, install ESXi (providing hardware is compatible), use VMware Converter, to Convert the files back to ESXi!
We do it all the time!
You have NOTHING ? not even a WIndows Laptop ?
Easy job, VMware Converter to virtual machine files on a WIndows Share, install ESXi (providing hardware is compatible), use VMware Converter, to Convert the files back to ESXi!
We do it all the time!
ASKER
I have a computer on the network that I can use to store the files, but nothing to use to install vmware itself
It's *ALWAYS* best practice to install VMware Converter on the source machine to convert!
ASKER
Andrew, I have no problems to install the converter on the physical server and convert it to files, my question is this. Will I be able to import the files once I install VMware 6.0?
Yes. DO make sure that you have at least 3 copies, just in case one if faulty!
Use VMware Converter, and Convert them back to ESXi 6.0.
I assume you have something to do that with a laptop ?
Use VMware Converter, and Convert them back to ESXi 6.0.
I assume you have something to do that with a laptop ?
ASKER
Not sure if i understood this? Convert it back??? Im converting the server to files on a shared location on the network, then i will install vmware and copy the files from the network to the datastore correct?
NO!
You cannot just copy the files back they are for the wrong product!
So the supported method is how I posted.
Convert
Install ESXi
Convert
And make bloody sure you have three copies of the first conversion
You cannot just copy the files back they are for the wrong product!
So the supported method is how I posted.
Convert
Install ESXi
Convert
And make bloody sure you have three copies of the first conversion
ASKER
1. So I convert using Vmware converter directly from the server to a share.
2. Install VMware 6.0 on the server.
3. How do I convert the files back to the server infrastructure now???
2. Install VMware 6.0 on the server.
3. How do I convert the files back to the server infrastructure now???
Run Converter again browse to files and then select VMware Infrastructure
ASKER
I see, so the converter will load the files and convert it to the infrastructure, understood. Thank you.
Correct.
Because when you convert to files on a share, the VM created/converted is for VMware Workstation, which is a slightly different format than ESXi.
You could just copy the files back to datastore, but this may give you issues, the support method is to use Converter, to convert from VMware Workstation to ESXi.
Because when you convert to files on a share, the VM created/converted is for VMware Workstation, which is a slightly different format than ESXi.
You could just copy the files back to datastore, but this may give you issues, the support method is to use Converter, to convert from VMware Workstation to ESXi.
ASKER
So the converter will let me select the files already stored on the workstation and point them to the esxi? Just making sure! Have you done this?
You select when using Converter what options to select, in terms of what destination is required for your VM.
In this case you select VMware Virtual Infrastruture.
YES
In this case you select VMware Virtual Infrastruture.
Have you done this?
YES
ASKER
Hi Andrew,
I don't see an option on the convert the files to the infrastructure? I have converted the physical machine to a network share, what's next?
I don't see an option on the convert the files to the infrastructure? I have converted the physical machine to a network share, what's next?
The first step is correct.
Have you got three copies/conversions.?
Next step after that trash your physical server install ESXi
Have you got three copies/conversions.?
Next step after that trash your physical server install ESXi
ASKER
I did Andrew. I have ESXI installed, now I have to bring the converted machine from the network share to the ESXI server? What's next?
ASKER
Convert what? The server has been converted already and its files are sitting on a share drive, do i have to move it to the host? Im lost here with a dead server now.
Use converter to convert back
ASKER
The converter only convert local machine or remote machine by the IP address, there is no options to load files from a share?
let me check this for you......
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Ok, totally missed that. Thank you. Off I go.
ASKER
Hi Andrew, I ran into an issue to install ESXI 6, this server has a Perc S300 card which is not supported by ESXI, I have been some people to say that a Perc 6i controller will do it, do you know anything about it?
In my first post, I did write
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29050857/Physical-to-Virtual-with-no-infrastructure.html?anchorAnswerId=42257126#a42257126
install ESXi (providing hardware is compatible).
You've never mentioned what ESXi server you have to check if it's compatible with ESXi ?
https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?deviceCategory=io
The S300 is not on the HCL, but many other PERC are, see the above link, also depends on exact version of ESXi 6.x, 6.0 or 6.5
install ESXi (providing hardware is compatible).
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29050857/Physical-to-Virtual-with-no-infrastructure.html?anchorAnswerId=42257126#a42257126
install ESXi (providing hardware is compatible).
You've never mentioned what ESXi server you have to check if it's compatible with ESXi ?
https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?deviceCategory=io
The S300 is not on the HCL, but many other PERC are, see the above link, also depends on exact version of ESXi 6.x, 6.0 or 6.5
ASKER
Hi Drew,
I'm actually performing the conversion now since last week it did not work, after the conversion, the network card is not connecting, any ideas? I've added another virtual nic and still saying media disconnected.
I'm actually performing the conversion now since last week it did not work, after the conversion, the network card is not connecting, any ideas? I've added another virtual nic and still saying media disconnected.
ASKER
Right now i see the base system device with an exclamation yellow mark. The server not everything opens on the server, been trying to install vm tools and its not loading.
You are missing drivers provided by VMware Tools.
I would re-do the conversion, and select the option to install VMware Tools as part of the conversion.
I would re-do the conversion, and select the option to install VMware Tools as part of the conversion.
ASKER
Thank you very much Andrew for all the help, at the end everything worked.
If you use the same server and something goes wrong you might loose both physical and virtual server at the same time. Bad, very bad.