Replicate Templates

[frejak73]

Hi
Having some problems when im trying to replicate templates to anoter host.
In the Exclution and Templates everyting is greyd out.
Is it so that you can´t repicate templates, only backup ?

//Fredrik

[veremin]

Hi, Fredrik. The VM templates can’t be added to the replication job, indeed. The only available option is to backup them up.

Just out of curiosity – for what specific purpose do you need this type of functionality (replicating VM templates)?

Thanks.

[frejak73]

Replicating them to another location in case of fire example. Sure i can back them up to that location storrage, but then i have to register them to that singel ESXi host.
I will look for some PowerCLI script so i can convert then to VM them back them up and convert back to template.

[foggy]

You can use VM Copy job to copy templates to another location, looks like an easier workaround.

[frejak73]

Then i need to have WIN, Linux or some other share och that ESXi host to copy to.
Is that some functions in ver 7 ? replicate templates..

or use PowerCLI http://techdump.co.uk/2011/10/vmware-po ... -vm-script

[foggy]

Then i need to have WIN, Linux or some other share och that ESXi host to copy to.

You can copy directly to the host datastore (select the Server option at the Storage step and choose a target host).

[frejak73]

Then i still have to register them on the new host.

[foggy]

Well, yes, however, this is typically a one-time operation as templates do not usually change. Or do you need to perform this frequently?

[frejak73]

The problem is I dont know when users are creating new templates, we have a big enviroment, and it changes alot.
But in every template are placed in the same folder.

[foggy]

Ok, got it. Then probably PowerCLI will help in your case.

[veremin]

As a potential workaround, you can create a special folder on a datastore where all VM templates will be stored; then, create a Veeam file copy job, specify the abovementioned folder as a source and remote ESX(i) host as a target and schedule this job to run on a required basis.

Such scenario guarantees that newly-created templates will be transferred successfully. However, you might still need some PS scripting in order to register these templates afterwards.

Thanks.

[frejak73]

As a potential workaround, you can create a special folder on a datastore where all VM templates will be stored; then, create a Veeam file copy job, specify the abovementioned folder as a source and remote ESX(i) host as a target and schedule this job to run on a required basis.

Such scenario guarantees that newly-created templates will be transferred successfully. However, you might still need some PS scripting in order to register these templates afterwards.

Thanks.

Is that some support for Templates in Ver.7 ?

//Fredrik

[veremin]

According to the plan, no template replication functionality will be present in the upcoming release.

So, the abovementioned scenario with Veeam File Copy Job seems to be the only option you have. Thanks.

[stephen.loera]

Here to resurrect this feature request! I am helping a client migrate to a new datacenter. It would have been so awesome to replicate their templates to the new vCenter. If it's not too much, I think it would be a worthy feature to include!

[Vitaliy S.]

If that's a migration scenario, then definitely use file copy jobs for that