VMware Converter

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Revision as of 12:30, 28 July 2010 by Sstrutt (talk | contribs) (Added VMware Converter Plug-in procedure)
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VMware Converter clones an existing physical (or virtual) machine into a new virtual machine.

  1. A new VM is created
  2. The source machine's disks are snapshotted/shadow copied, so that they can be copied whilst the OS is still running
  3. The source machine's disks are copied to the new VM's blank disks
  4. The new VM is booted up, the OS needs to install new drivers for the new (virtual) hardware.

Pre-P2V Prep

  1. Delete unused, unneeded files
    • Temp files and folder
    • Old profiles
    • Internet caches
    • Recycle Bin
  2. De-install any unneeded applications or services
  3. Perform a defrag (optional - may speed up P2V)
  4. Reboot server

Performing a P2V

Standalone

  1. Install the application on the machine to be virtualised
    • Select Typical
    • May require a restart
  2. Start-up VMware Converter application
  3. Click on the large Convert Machine icon with the large green arrow in the bottom half of the screen, to start the Wizard
  4. 1 - Specify Source
    • Leave Select source type: as Powered-on machine
    • Select This local machine, and click Next
  5. 2 - Specify Destination
    • Leave Select destination type: as VMware Infrastructure virtual machine
    • Update VMware Infrastructure server details with the server (ESX or VC) and appropriate login details, and click Next
    • Select an appropriate destination host (if you're logged into a VC)
    • Update Virtual machine name as required
    • Select an appropriate Datastore, and click Next
  6. 3 - View/Edit Options
    • Data to copy
      • Un-tick any disks you don’t want (like tiny hardware utils partitions), click the drop down if you want to change the size of a disk during migration
    • Devices
      • Tweak CPU and memory settings as required
      • If your source machine uses IDE you must change the Disk Controller: to SCSI (LSI logic is standard for Windows machines)
    • Services
      • Update as required
    • Advanced Options
      • Review and change as required
      • There may be a warning that sysprep can't be found, normally this isn't a problem (assuming you want a clone of your current machine and don't want a new SID created)
    • Click 'Next
  7. 4 - Ready to Complete
    • Review and click on Finish
  8. Wait until the process has completed (the initial ETA is often inaccurate, after 5mins or so its fairly reliable), then shutdown the physical/source machine
  9. Using the VI Client, connect to the Virtual Center Server, right click on the new virtual machine and choose edit setting
    • For all Serial Ports and any unwanted Network Adapters, select the item and click on Remove, finally click on OK
    • Right click on the virtual servers and choose Power On.
    • Wait for a little while as the server may reboot itself once or twice, then right click on the virtual server and choose Open Console. Logon to the server and setup the network card settings as appropriate.

Plug-in

Procedure assumes you're P2V'ing

  1. Within vCentre, right-click over the destination ESX and click Import Machine...
  2. 1: Source
    • Leave What do you want to import? as Physical Computer, and click Next
    • In Name or IP Address: enter the source physical machine's IP address (its more reliable than using a name) and in Authentication enter the details of a local admin account for the source machine. Click Next
    • Edit new disk sizes as appropriate, its recommended to check the Create a seperate disk for each volume. option. When finished click Next
  3. 2: Destination
    • Enter the new virtual machine's name, and destination location, then click Next
    • Select an appropriate datastore (which enough space!), then click Next
    • Select appropriate network(s), then click Next
  4. 3: Customization
    • Its recommended to select the Remove all System Restore checkpoints option (if available), VMware Tools can be installed later, then clcik Next
  5. 4: Schedule Task
    • Run now! Its bound to fail as a scheduled task! Click Next
  6. Ready to Complete
    • Leave Power on the new virtual amchine after creation checkbox cleared, then click Finish