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2 Replies Last post: Mar 5, 2010 8:48 AM by Sean Dehlinger  
Mark Huxlay Candidate 1 posts since
Jan 20, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Jan 20, 2010 8:28 AM

ESX 2.5.1 - Move all VM's to new hardware

Hi,

 

I need to replace the existing hardware we have on-site as it is getting old.

I didn't set it up, and have never installed VMWare. I don't think it should be too much of a problem.

 

My query is around how i am going to move all of the Virtual Machines to the new server once it is installed ?

 

Is it a case of moving the .vmdk, .vmx and associated files, ensuring that they are all still in the same folder structure that they were originally ?

Vinay Candidate 1 posts since
Mar 5, 2010
Currently Being Moderated
1. Mar 5, 2010 5:37 AM in response to: Mark Huxlay
Re: ESX 2.5.1 - Move all VM's to new hardware
You need to Migrated the servers and then update the Virtual hardware and update the VMWare tools.
Sean Dehlinger Candidate 1 posts since
Oct 16, 2008
Currently Being Moderated
2. Mar 5, 2010 8:48 AM in response to: Vinay
Re: ESX 2.5.1 - Move all VM's to new hardware

Hi Mark.  You should post questions like this on the VMware Communities site, not the VMworld site.  The Communities are for peer-peer support questions like you've asked.  That being said, the best advice is always RTFM.  I won't detail the exact steps but here's a thumbnail sketch:

- Upgrade your vCenter Server

- Load ESX on new servers

- Connect new ESX hosts to upgraded vCenter

- Make sure new hosts share same storage as old hosts

- Shut down VMs on 2.5.1 hosts

- Restart VMs on new hosts

- Upgrade VMware Tools and virtual hardware on the VMs that moved

 

The 2.5 version of ESX is pretty old so some of the newer features like CPU Masking won't be available.  You will also need valid/current software maintenance on your ESX software.  VMware Technical Support can help you with some of the details but if you're responsible for a Virtual Infrastructure you should go to training too.

 

Good luck,

SPD

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