p2v

[kzn]

Is it possible to p2v a server that is thousands of miles away?

The plan is to create a vpn and then try to p2v it. We have 8mb leased lines. Does anyone see a problem with this? I am aware it will take ages but besides this, can anyone see any potential problems?

Many thanks,

 

[cabraun]

Probably safer and maybe faster depending on the size to have someone local to the server build a free ESXi box, P2V your server, dump the files onto a USB drive and fedex it to you.

 

[Provogeek]

no harm in trying, it's not like the source machine is un-usable after a p2v process.

Yea, it will be slow, but no reason why it would not work. Just make sure the needed ports are open on any firewalls between the two and you have short name DNS resolution between source and destination server (not just vCenter, but ESX it's self as well).

Personally, I would get a PC setup at the remote site that has enough disk space to hold an image of the source server. Then use the stand alone converter on the source to create a VMFS of the local system used for storage. I would put it into VMWare Workstation format and install VMWare Workstation (or player) on the remote system. This would allow you to fire up the virtual machine after the p2v and verify it is good. Better to find out quick if something went wrong than wait hours and hours to find out something went wrong.

Then transfer that across the wan and import into your VMware system on site.

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

http://www.kiscc.com

Novell Platinum Partner Microsoft Gold Partner
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[ArizonaGeek]

I P2V'ed a machine from Pittsburgh, Pa to Scottsdale, Az. It took a couple of tries but I had to go with Platespin to do it, but it worked with no issues. It was a long copy obviously, it will depend on your connection speeds. A 20 gig P2V with platespin took about 10 hours. I did a regular P2V from Texas, about 10 gigs from Texas with the VMWare VConverter. There is also Vizioncore's converter that is free as well you could try.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!