Migrating from RDM to NFS (VMDK)

[jmmorrell]

What is the best process to migrate my virtual machines from RDM to VMDK via NFS datastore? vmkfstools?

[runclear]

Ive used Vmware Converter in the Past.... this will create the new disks as "vmdk's" on the new storage (NFS/VMFS etc..)

[Texiwill]

Hello,

One way is to use vRanger to make a backup of a virtual RDM. THen when you restore it restores as a VMDK. Granted you have to make a slight change to the metafile but it does work. I outline this in http://searchvmware.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid179_gci1348878,00.html

Best regards,
Edward L. Haletky
VMware Communities User Moderator, VMware vExpert 2009
====
Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.
Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs -- Top Virtualization Security Links -- Virtualization Security Round Table Podcast

[jmmorrell]

I need a free solution. Customer is not willing to pay for additional tools to do the migration. VMware converter sounds like a possibility. Is there a tool geared specifically for this tasks?

has anyone used vmkfstools for this task?

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Use the free/demo version of vRanger/Veeam/VCB... vmkfstools may work if the RDM is in a virtual mode.

If the RDM is in physical mode there is nothing that will work from within ESX short of using 'dd'.

Best regards,
Edward L. Haletky
VMware Communities User Moderator, VMware vExpert 2009
====
Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.
Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs -- Top Virtualization Security Links -- Virtualization Security Round Table Podcast

[jmmorrell]

how can you determine if the RDM is in physical or virtual mode? i haven't worked much w/ RDMs.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Go into the VMware VIrtual Infrastructure Client select the VM then Edit Settings and select the RDM. It will either say virtual or not. One way to be sure is to power off the VM and click on 'virtual'. THis will not adversely affect anything.

However, if this is an RDM for a cluster then you can not use virtual so would need to break the cluster first.

Best regards,
Edward L. Haletky
VMware Communities User Moderator, VMware vExpert 2009
====
Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.
Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs -- Top Virtualization Security Links -- Virtualization Security Round Table Podcast

[jmmorrell]

what would be best way to migrate from VMFS datastore (iSCSI) to a NFS datastore?

[Texiwill]

Hello,

RDM or VMDK? RDM is its own LUN so you would need to use a virtual RDM to make it into a VMDK, then I would use the 'migrate' feature of the VIC and do a cold migrate to a new datastore. If it is a vRDM then you would need to use one of the other already discussed options.

Best regards,
Edward L. Haletky
VMware Communities User Moderator, VMware vExpert 2009
====
Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.
Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs -- Top Virtualization Security Links -- Virtualization Security Round Table Podcast

[chriswaltham]

I've gone through a RDM -> NFS migration, it wasn't the most exciting thing I've ever done but it wasn't so bad either. I think I have a shell script around that automates most of the hard work you need to do with vmkfstools, let me know if you want to check it out.

[jmmorrell]

absolutely, i'd like to see that script if you don't mind.

[chriswaltham]

I just realized that the script is tied up inside of some internal documentation we have; but you can check it out here: http://www.bowdoin.edu/~cwaltham/vmware/rdm_to_nfs.html

Feel free to ask if anything there isn't clear (I typically write documentation for myself, not for others; so I have a unique "style"). My email address is just cwaltham at bowdoin dot edu.