How about backing up that dreadful application/server that you couldn’t or did not wanted to virtualize to your ESX environment? It could be useful to have a copy of a server that for whatever reason you did not virtualize. The new VMware Converter plugin for VirtualCenter gives you this option. You can create a reoccurring schedule for a p2v, you can even save several version of the converted machine. How cool is that! Seems like a great way to backup a machine!
How do I do this:
- click on scheduled tasks
- click new and pick “import a machine”
- select “physical” and enter the servers name/ip and username and password
- select the disks you want to import
- type a name for the VM
- select the destination host
- select a datastore
- select a network
- and schedule the task!
That is very kewl. Converter has come a long way. There was a time I wouldnt use it at all because of troubles Ive had with it, and resorted to Ghost on a BARTPE.
I need to go back and download it and check it out.
just one little problem.
Unless Vmware has changed it, a live converted machine, ca have a difference of 150 mb, and still be ok, according to Vmware converter.
So if you are backing up a machine, that has a lot of changing data, like a SQL etc. then you might end up with a machine, thats useless, when disaster strike.
But other then that, i agree on what you say.
Where can I get this plugin?
And is this only available with the enterprise edition of converter?
Looks like this functionality has been removed from vSphere 4.1. I actually have someone that wants to do this today and the only option is to schedule it once.
I too have a client who would like to use this functionality, but under 4.1 it is not possible to schedule a recurring export. Does anyone know if there is another way to do it? Perhaps a powercli script?
Yes.
You should be able to schedule it under Scheduled Tasks section of vSphere.