Using VMware P2V on Dell PowerEdge Servers

Transcription

1 Using VMware P2V on Dell PowerEdge Servers The purpose of this document is to provide best practices for using the VMware P2V (Physical to Virtual) migration tool with Dell PowerEdge Servers. The document describes possible configurations when using the P2V application as well as solutions to unique issues. July Dell Inc

2 1. Introduction This document provides guidance for the use of the VMware P2V (Physical to Virtual) migration tool on Dell PowerEdge Servers. Hardware and software compatibility matrices, helpful notes, and special steps for users of Dell Server Assistant software are detailed below. It is intended that this technical document be used in conjunction with the VMware P2V Assistant User s Manual documentation found at Dell recommends performing a system backup before using the P2V tool. 2. Compatibility Matrices The P2V process requires that the user have two separate systems. The system that is being cloned is referred to as the physical system; the machine that is running the VM is the host. Below are the Dell specific compatibility matrices for the P2V tool. PowerEdge As Physical System 1650 Supported 1750 Supported 1850 Supported 1855 Supported 2600 Supported 2650 Supported 2850 Supported 6650 Supported 6850 Supported For a list of hardware supported by VMware, see P2V Assistant Tested Hardware at Servers that were setup using Dell Server Assistant (DSA) require additional steps during the P2V process. See section 4. Handling the Dell Utility Partition. PowerEdge As Host Running ESX 1650 Not Supported 1750 Not Supported 1850 Supported 1855 Supported 2600 Not Supported 2650 Not Supported 2850 Supported 6650 Supported 6850 Supported July Dell Inc

3 The VMware P2V Assistant Hardware and Virtualization Support Matrix document at lists the supported operating systems. 3. Using P2V VMware documentation of the P2V tool provides an essential foundation for users, and is the primary reference for its use. The information presented in this document is intended to be used in conjunction with the VMware P2V documentation. Due to its general nature, the VMware documentation does not cover some aspects of the process, many of which are specific to use with Dell server systems. When using the P2V software, users should note the following in addition to what is communicated in the VMware documentation. 1. When cloning a disk, the tool may warn that the target disk is too small and the partition needs to be resized. This may happen even if the target disk is large enough. If this warning occurs, allow the tool to resize the partition. If this does not correct the problem, a larger virtual disk will be required. 2. If special steps are not taken when attempting to migrate an operating system which was installed on a Dell PowerEdge server using the Dell Server Assistant software, the P2V tool may halt the process, and return the message in Figure 4.1. (See Section 4. Handling the Dell Utility Partition ) 3. The P2V tool does not allow the user to individually select the partitions to be copied from the physical source disk to the target virtual disk. Instead, the tool copies the entire contents of the disk. This may result in copying of unwanted disk partitions (such as the Dell Utility Partition that is created by the Dell Server Assistant software). To minimize the size of unwanted partitions, follow the procedures described in section 4. Handling the Dell Utility Partition step The P2V tool provides users with two options when creating virtual disks (*.vmdk files). One method allows users to create the virtual disk file using virtualization software such as VMware ESX Server. The other method is to use the P2V tool itself to create the virtual disk file. Dell recommends the first method of employing ESX Server to create the target virtual disk file. 4. Handling the Dell Utility Partition Servers with factory-installed operating systems, and those with operating systems installed using the Dell Server Assistant (DSA) software require additional steps during the reconfiguration process of a P2V migration. As an aid to serviceability, many Dell PowerEdge servers have a special service partition that is usually hidden on the main system hard disk. This service partition, also referred to as the Dell utility partition (or UP), is present on systems with factory installed operating systems, or operating systems installed using the Dell Server Assistant. The July Dell Inc

4 partition includes hardware-specific diagnostic tools and drivers which are not needed by the target virtual machine. If present, the UP must be bypassed in order for a successful migration to take place. The error message in Figure 4.1 will appear unless special steps are taken. The specific steps are listed below. Cloning the Disk Figure After setting up the host computer with the P2V boot CD, launch the P2V application in the Helper VM in the normal fashion. Helper VM refers to the virtual machine that hosts the P2V application and the target virtual disk. 2. Enter the IP address of the host machine and select the drive and partition. When the screen in Figure 4.2 is reached, select the top option, No, just clone the disk without modifications (with the option of reconfiguring it later). July Dell Inc

5 Figure Select a disk option, and check the Let me resize disk partitions and select which ones to copy box as shown in Figure 4.3. July Dell Inc

6 Figure The editor dialog box in Figure 4.4 will appear. Figure 4.4 Note that every partition of the source s physical disk is cloned by the P2V tool there is no option to actually remove the partition. It is sufficient for the purpose of migration to reduce the size of the UP (or any other unwanted partition) to be as small as possible July Dell Inc

7 (to reduce copy time and disk space used). To accomplish this, enter 0 in the New Total MB column of the table, as shown in Figure 4.4. The P2V tool will still copy the partition despite the user entering 0, but this will ensure that the partition will be of minimum size (usually 6-8 MB). 5. Click OK. The next screen, Figure 4.5, indicates that the P2V application has the necessary information. Click Next to clone the disk. Figure 4.5 Reconfiguration Once cloned, the disk must be reconfigured so that it can be used as a bootable system disk within a virtual machine. As stated in VMware s documentation, the reconfiguration alters elements that are essential to working in a virtual environment. The steps for reconfiguring the cloned disk follow. 1. Launch the P2V assistant. 2. Select Perform a System Reconfiguration on an existing virtual disk that contains an operating system. 3. Select the virtual disk to which the physical disk was cloned. July Dell Inc

8 4. The next screen shown in Figure 4.6 shows the partitions on the newly cloned virtual disk. Figure In the example above, the first partition that is unrecognized is the Dell utility partition. Click on the partition that holds the operating system (the second partition, in this example), and then click Next to reconfigure the disk. 6. Detach the cloned virtual disk from the Helper VM, and create a new VM with the cloned disk as its primary hard drive. This step is performed within the ESX Server interface. 5. References: 1. P2V Assistant User's Manual 2. P2V Assistant Hardware and Virtualization Support Matrix 3. P2V Assistant Hardware Compatibility Guide 4. Dell VMware ESX Server Deployment Guide 5. VCommunityForum July Dell Inc

9 THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND MAY CONTAIN TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS AND TECHNICAL INACCURACIES. THE CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS, WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Dell, the DELL logo and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc. VMware is a registered trademark of VMware, Inc. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Portions of this document 2005 VMware, Inc. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. For more information, contact Dell Inc. July Dell Inc