Re: [Xen-users] VMware guests to xen

[Steve Spencer <sspencer@xxxxxxxx>]

If you are migrating generally Linux boxes, I'd just create the xen
virtual machines, and then use rsnapshot to migrate them as a backup of
the live system.  I'm assuming that you are doing this on different
hardware.  I can tell you that this is a very clean way of doing it
without trying to figure out file system differences etc.

Rsnapshot is a backup solution based on rsync and perl and does not
require any special libraries or anything.  I recently migrated a LAN
server from a standalone box, by setting up rsnapshot and a cron to run
it nightly to the live xen machine in a backup location.  Once I was
ready to move it live, I simply moved the directories from their backup
locations to the live location, unplugged the network cable of the old
box, and fired up the new virtual machine.  It was flawless and it took
very little personal time to do.

If this sounds like something you'd like to try, feel free to contact me
off list.  I'm actually getting ready to do exactly this with an old
machine running vmware to a new xen setup with 3 virtual servers on the
vmware machine.

Thanks,

-- 
Steven G. Spencer, Network Administrator
KSC Corporate - The Kelly Supply Family of Companies
Office 308-382-8764 Ext. 231
Mobile 308-380-7957


Fajar A. Nugraha wrote:
> On Sat, Jan 17, 2009 at 2:49 AM, lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 
> wrote:
>> Some of them are win based and most are linux. I am more interested in 
>> moving the linux boxes than the win ones.
> 
> Oh my. It seems I (incorrectly) assume that you're moving win boxes
> only. Sorry about that.
> 
>> All of the guests are using SCSI which seems to be the default in VMware 
>> Server 2.0 at least. Most have CDROM as well.
>>
> 
> In general, Joseph's suggestion would work for Linux boxes. If you
> need more specific instructions, some additional details of what
> you're trying to do would be helpful :
> - Are you going for PV guests or HVM guests?
> I'd go for PV for performance reasons.
> - Which distro do you use?
> Different distros might require different strategies. For example,
> some might provide kernel-xen package which can make converting to PV
> easier, or PV drivers which can improve performance on HVM guests
> - Are you familiar with creating xen domU config files by hand?
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Fajar
> 
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> 
> 

-- 
Steven G. Spencer, Network Administrator
KSC Corporate - The Kelly Supply Family of Companies
Office 308-382-8764 Ext. 231
Mobile 308-380-7957

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