export images from xen server to esxi server

[robert wild1709160729]

hi all,

i have exported all my xen vms to .xva but now how do i convert them to the right template that esxi accepts

are there any free tools out there that can convert xva to vmware format?

thanks,

rob

[Alan Lantz]

Not directly. You should really export/import as ovf. And its not even that simple. I have done some

tesing myself as I am going that direction. I had to write some scripts to get rid of XenTools. Its been 

a few months since I did my testing so I don't remember the details. It will probably be a couple of 

months before I start moving VM's to the new environment.

 

--Alan--

 

[robert wild1709160729]

can i do this

 

xe vm-export vm="$snap" filename="$path/$name-$date-vm.xva"

 

but replace .xva to .ovf?

[Alan Lantz]

I think you have to use XenCenter to export to a ovf. Command line only supports XVA.

 

--Alan--

 

[Koenraad Willems]

Hi,

 

First off, be sure to uninstall all XenServer related software before exporting, because they will cause boot failures after importing on ESXi.

 

Have you seen this guide?

https://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/126530-migrating-a-citrix-xenserver-vm-to-vmware

You can download VMware vConverter here (note you will need a VMware account):

https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/details?downloadGroup=CONV62&productId=701&rPId=20180

 

Best of luck,

 

Koenraad

[Alan Lantz]

And its not just uninstalling the software because the tools doesn't do a complete uninstsall and it

will conveniently re-install drivers on the next boot. Its actually quite the PITA. 

 

--Alan--

 

[robert wild1709160729]

so i can do it all from the VMware vConverter?

[Alan Lantz]

Nope, VMWare converter won't get rid of the XenTools.

 

--Alan--

 

[robert wild1709160729]

yeah i know i need to uninstall the xen tools, thanks Alan

 

but what would you say is better to do, the vmware converter tool or this (see below)

 

https://chariotsolutions.com/blog/post/convert-citrix-xenserver-xva-image-to-kvm/

 

as the tool im going to use to import all the vms to esxi can accept qcow2

 

https://giritharan.com/move-virtual-machines-from-xen-to-vmware/

[Alan Lantz]

I've slept since then and don't remember ! I think I used either the StarWind tool or 

perhaps something provided by VMWare to do the conversion or import.

 

--Alan--

 

[robert wild1709160729]

ok, im using the vmware converter to do this as i think it will be more easier

i dont understand the vmware helper ip (see pic)

 

what address do i give it, do i give it the destination vlan address or the source vlan address?

thanks,

rob

[Alan Lantz]

I don't remember doing that. I did find where I used VMWare VCenter Converter standalone. 

Maybe what I used was slightly different.

 

--Alan--

 

[Dhruv Thakkar1709158753]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UksmBJYWAQg follow it takes few hrs to migrate 

 

Or get platespin migrate from microfocus at least get 5 vm migrate (demo license) it works great

[Koenraad Willems]

On 2/18/2020 at 1:37 PM, robert wild1709160729 said:

ok, im using the vmware converter to do this as i think it will be more easier

i dont understand the vmware helper ip (see pic)

 

what address do i give it, do i give it the destination vlan address or the source vlan address?

thanks,

rob

 

Hi Rob,

 

The helper VM is created on the destination (so the VMware host), but it does need access to the source network where the Xen VM is in, since it will be used to fetch the VM's data and create it on the destination VMware host.

So ideally, you have it configured to be in the network of the XenServer host, but also have the VMware host in that network.

If that is not possible, you have to make sure the two networks are routable.

 

Best,

 

Koenraad