Free ESXi & backing up VM's

[CapnPugwash]

Hi,

 

We've just started supporting a local primary. They run the free version of ESXi & two VMs.

 

The want to replace the physical host & I think ... they may want me to sort everything out, keeping their costs down to a bare minimum (no extra licences , just a new server)

 

I don't really know much about the free version of ESXi. I would imagine that I can run multiple Hosts with it on the same network but I wouldn't be able to migrate VM's from one to the other.

 

Could I install the full version (60 day trial) on the new server, put the trial licence into the current host & migrate the machines over that way?

 

If not... I'm open to suggestions!!

 

I know there maybe nice ways of doing this if the school was prepared to spend an extra couple of bob ... but there's no spare bob in the kitty!

[NB9457]

Just set up the new host and manually move the VMs over? With it being a primary, I can't see a couple of hours booked in down time being a massive issue

[mowgli82]

You could always V2V them with the Free VMware converter

[3s-gtech]

You can migrate VMs between hosts on the free version. One easy way is to mount an NFS share that's attached to both, shutdown the VM, copy over the disks to the share, then drag them onto the storage for the new server. You can then import the VM directly. I think you can also use VMWare VCenter Standalone Converter which will connect to both ESXi hosts and do the job for you. Some of this depends on the version of ESXi (I'm on 5.5).

 

In terms of backing up, I use GhettoVCB which works with the free version and gives me backups that I can easily mount to another host or convert to Hyper-V. Not that easy to set up, but awesome when working and is the only solution I know of for ESXi Free.

[houlta]

Hi Capn,

 

I would do as mentioned above, mount a share and copy for the migration.

However...on an ongoing basis you'll need some backup. If you want something 'visual' that you can install on windows and works with Esxi Free then you could try vsquare.

I've been using it for quite a while now with no major issues, yes it costs a few bob but hopefully it won't break the bank- vsquarebackup.com