ESX 3.5 VMs to new 4.1.X ESXi server 1

[joepc]

I have an older ESX 3.5 U1 server running 4 Windows 2003 VMs. All the servers have the VMware tools installed.

I am looking to move/convert the VMs to a new ESXi 4.1.X host. I'm wondering what is the best way to do this?

I was thinking just using the VMware converter. However, if I do should I convert them to VM ver 7 rather than 4? Also what should I do about the VMware tools? Do I leave them alone, will they work with 4.1.x, is there a way to upgrade them?

Thanks in advance!

 

[cabraun]

I would suggest you start here -

http://www.vmware.com/a/webcasts/recorded/

and choose the "upgrading from 3 to 4" webcast. Many/Most/All of your questions will likely be answered.

 

[Provogeek]

If you do not have vCenter, then converter should work fine for you.

Do not upgrade the virtual hardware to version 7 during the move. Just use converter and get the VM over to your vSpher4 host. When done, fire it up and confirm all works. Then upgrade the VMware Tools. After the tools are upgraded, then you can upgrade the virtual hardware to version 7.

FYI, if you upgrade the virtual hardware to version 7 before you upgrade the tools, you will run into issues.




=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Brent Schmidt Senior Network Engineer
Keep IT Simple[/color red]

http://www.kiscc.com

Novell Platinum Partner Microsoft Gold Partner
VMWare Enterprise Partner Citrix Gold Partner

 

[joepc]

How do I upgrade the VMware tools?

 

[Provogeek]

http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/i...UID-6DDF97E3-3B95-4A5A-85A7-7DC3772FBE73.html

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Brent Schmidt Senior Network Engineer
Keep IT Simple[/color red]

http://www.kiscc.com

Novell Platinum Partner Microsoft Gold Partner
VMWare Enterprise Partner Citrix Gold Partner

 

[joepc]

Just to update: I ended up exporting the VMs from 3.5 and then just importing them to 4.1. Went through flawlessly.