VMware ESXi 5

[Dieselboy]

I have two 1RU servers running VMware ESXi5. I want to move a VM from one hardware to the other hardware. They are exactly identical hardware, same CPU make, same chassis make (cisco UCS C) same RAM size etc.
I don't have Vcenter so cannot use vmotion.

Can I simply copy the contents of the virtual disks (the folder with all the contents in for the VM in the datastore) and copy it up to the 2nd sever? Or is there another way of doing this with just vsphere?

Hope this isn't the wrong forum since we're all buds

[deanwebb]

  No, not the wrong forum, but it was the wrong *part* of the forum.

[richado]

Shut down the VM.

Commit all snapshots.  (Please commit all snapshots.  Really.  Just do it.)¹

Note the existing VM's  IP address(es) _AND_ MAC address(es) in case you need to use the same ones on the new VM and they get lost for some reason.

Use the basic procedure described here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSZdWQMynhw.

You can also just copy the .vmdks and create a new VM using vCenter.  Just attach the copied disks.

Remember, keep the original turned off and unmolested and, if you run into trouble, you can always delete everything new and power up the old VM to get back up and running if you need to.

Also, see Veeam's Quick Migration feature.  http://www.veeam.com/blog/how-to-move-a-vmware-vm-from-one-host-to-another-without-vmware-vmotion.html

I haven't used it, but the price and ease of use are in the right ballpark.

¹ Oh, and don't use snapshots except for in the very short term.  You do not want old snapshots, or worse, multiple old snapshots.  You really don't.

[wintermute000]

Theres a million methods

here's one

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDUQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.virtuallyghetto.com%2F2012%2F06%2Fhow-to-copy-vms-directly-between-esxi.html&ei=r1jdVNnOD8Sk8AWbu4KICw&usg=AFQjCNHSzLMsHX4IsQH66VGRuxSz_yOizw&sig2=fE-xajcAPA0n-6qo7Q3rmQ&bvm=bv.85970519,d.dGc

[Dieselboy]

Cheers guys

Please tell me more about old snapshots?

[richado]

It's simple.  Don't keep them.  Snapshots are intended for very short term use only.  You take them for a specific reason.  When you know if you need to roll back, roll back.  If you don't, delete the snapshot.

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1025279