I have 2 servers with ESXI. I need to clone the VMs to form a redundant backup. It seems I need vCenter server to clone using this method: http://www.mustbegeek.com/clone-virtual-machine-in-vmware-vcenter/
Cloning VMs with ESXI
- Thread starter GodAtum
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vSphere Server Standard seems a lot cheaper?
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What is it you're backing up, exchange, DC, Fileshares? And are you intending this as DR, or as a 'backup'?
There are many free ways to do this. The ghettoVCB scripts are pretty popular (though I can't vouch for them myself), the standalone vcentre converter, or just a straight shutdown and fastSCP copy to different storage.
It really all depends on your budget, or lack of, and whether you need to do this live or if down time isn't an issue.
If cloning is absolutely what you must do, then you need to buy vCentre and install it (either on a windows server or using the available linux appliance). You cannot clone a machine when directly connected to an ESXi host.
I've checked on our work servers and there is no option to do it, despite them being fully licensed.
There are a ton of ways to achieve what you asked, but in order to advise you better we'd need to know more fully what it is your perceived end goal is, as cloning may not be the right answer.
There are many free ways to do this. The ghettoVCB scripts are pretty popular (though I can't vouch for them myself), the standalone vcentre converter, or just a straight shutdown and fastSCP copy to different storage.
It really all depends on your budget, or lack of, and whether you need to do this live or if down time isn't an issue.
If cloning is absolutely what you must do, then you need to buy vCentre and install it (either on a windows server or using the available linux appliance). You cannot clone a machine when directly connected to an ESXi host.
I've checked on our work servers and there is no option to do it, despite them being fully licensed.
There are a ton of ways to achieve what you asked, but in order to advise you better we'd need to know more fully what it is your perceived end goal is, as cloning may not be the right answer.
My goal is DR across 2 sites. There are less then 30 VMs so I could do this manually once a week. ATM I am using Trilead to backup the VMs to the remote site which is time consuming and does not actually setup ESXI automatically.
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for a trial, it it this one? https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/evalcenter?p=vsphere-55
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How are the 2 sites connected, is it a via an internet connection? what speed?
I'm pretty sure that link is correct. For simplicity (and unless you want to incur further MS licensing) you'll probably want the linux virtual center appliance ova.
Join both ESXi hosts to vCentre ,and then I would then completely ignore any scripting and the like and look up vSphere Replication. It's included free in the vCentre license, and will do exactly what you've requested.
The only thing I'm unsure of is whether you'll have to license 2 vCentre servers, 1 for each site.
We use vSphere Replication for our test servers and you can replicate to the same vCentre server, so I think you'll be OK, but you'll have to test it for yourself.
I'm pretty sure that link is correct. For simplicity (and unless you want to incur further MS licensing) you'll probably want the linux virtual center appliance ova.
Join both ESXi hosts to vCentre ,and then I would then completely ignore any scripting and the like and look up vSphere Replication. It's included free in the vCentre license, and will do exactly what you've requested.
The only thing I'm unsure of is whether you'll have to license 2 vCentre servers, 1 for each site.
We use vSphere Replication for our test servers and you can replicate to the same vCentre server, so I think you'll be OK, but you'll have to test it for yourself.