ESXi Forklift Guide - VMware Converter
When migrating your existing machine into our cloud environment, VMware Converter is a pivotal tool to facilitate this seamless transition. This documentation aims to provide a comprehensive guide on leveraging VMware Converter to efficiently move your on-premises virtual machines (VMs) into our cloud infrastructure, ensuring a smooth and successful migration process.
IMPORTANT: No snapshots can exist on any VM/PHY for the tools to forklift properly. Consolidate and delete all pending or existing snapshots.
Install VMware Converter on the machine
Download and install VMware Converter Standalone.
During the installation process, make sure to select Local installation.
Downloads:
VMware Converter - Official Download
You can also download VMware converter from our link:
http://vpn-s3.syptec.com:9000/minio/vmware
Access Key -- afzyFKfWrh9DzvAnN6hu
Secret Pass -- afzyFKfWrh9DzvAnN6hu
Convert machine
Once VMware Converter has been installed, open VMware converter as administrator. If you do not run the application as administrator, you will recieve an error message when trying to convert.
1. Click on "Convert Machine"
2. Under Source System, select "Powered on" and "This local machine"
There are some other options, select this option if you are converting the machine you are using.
3. Under Destination System, enter the IP and credentials for the forklifter. We will provide you with these details in your helpdesk ticket. You will have full access to the forklifter, and it will be available in your vCenter folder during the migration.
4. Click "Next" and click "Ignore" for the Certificate Security Warning.
(This warning appears because the forklifter is using a self-signed SSL certificate)
5. Enter the machine name and click "Next"
This will be the name of the VM as it will appear in vCenter once the migration is complete.
6. IMPORTANT: Under Destination Location, select Virtual Machine Version 13. Click "Next"
IMPORTANT: Thin Provision
Under "Data to copy" click on "Edit"
Click on "Advanced"
Under "Destination layout" change the Type/Cluster size from Thick to Thin
7. Under Devices, click on Edit.
Set the Memory and CPU to the desired specification. If you are not sure how much CPU/RAM to allocate, we can assist you with the correct settings.
8. Click on Networks, then set the Controller type to VMXNET 3.
9. Under Advanced Options, check "Install VMware Tools". This will allow the VM to live migrate.
10. Click "Next" and then "Finish". The VM will begin converting and migrating to the forklifter.
Be sure to monitor the progress of the conversion. Once this shows Completed, you can update our team, after which we will migrate your VM into our cloud and into your vCenter container.
If your conversion fails, please delete the VM from the ESXi so you don't run out of the 8TB allocated space. You have root/administrator access to fully manage the migration.