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rschmid
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copy vmdk file from a VM to another (ESXi)

Post by rschmid »

Hello,

I need to copy my virtual disk from one VM to another VM. Both VMs are running on different vSphere Hosts.
Do just select my hdd.vmdk copy and paste it or do I have to copy files like *.vmx or *.nvram?

Kind regards,
Roland
nielsengelen
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Re: copy vmdk file from a VM to another (ESXi)

Post by nielsengelen »

If it's only the disk you need, then the VMDK is fine. VMX is the configuration file so no need for it.
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Vitaliy S.
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Re: copy vmdk file from a VM to another (ESXi)

Post by Vitaliy S. »

You need to copy flat VMDK and its descriptor, and then add it to another VM.
rschmid
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Re: copy vmdk file from a VM to another (ESXi)

Post by rschmid »

how do I identify its descriptor?

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Roland
Vitaliy S.
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Re: copy vmdk file from a VM to another (ESXi)

Post by Vitaliy S. »

Usually it has the same name as the flat disk, but with a relatively small size > https://venthusiastic.wordpress.com/2014/03/12/vmdk/
rschmid
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Re: copy vmdk file from a VM to another (ESXi)

Post by rschmid »

Fileserver-VM-1_1-flat.vdmk (5.120.00 GB)
Fileserver-VM-1_1.vdmk (0,58 KB)

like above pasted example, thank you now I understand it.

Kind regards,
Roland
Vitaliy S.
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Re: copy vmdk file from a VM to another (ESXi)

Post by Vitaliy S. »

If you want to schedule a copy operation of the disk, then you can use replication job (just pick the virtual disk you need) and then attach the replicated disk to a new VM.
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