vmotion not working, please help

[ggomez43]

testing vmtion to another host and not working. validation error. "unable to access virtual machine data store????

I browse the data store on Host 2 and I cannot see the virtual machine vmdk files from Host1.

I have an HP proliant DL380G running ESXi5.5 SD card and two nested ESXi host..

*** VMkernel setup on both hosts

*** management network vmotion enabled

*** promiscuous mode enabled.

*** SCSI storage

[rcporto]

Seems like the VM Windows8.1host2 is stored on datastore called datastore1 that seems to be a local datastore of host 192.168.1.71, if what I say is correct, you will be unable to vMotion this VM, since host 192.168.1.70 don't have access to local datastore of host 192.168.1.71. To be able to vMotion VMs between hosts, the VM must be stored on a shared datastore, that both hosts has access.

[ggomez43]

Thanks for the quick response.

That is correct. Got a little bit more understanding now from reading online and your answer...

This is probably so basic but just learning as i go....

can you please give me some advice on what type of shared storage to setup?

A. Buy more drives for my HP Proliant DL380G6 and setup FreeNAS?

B. Buy more drives for my HP Proliant DL380G6 with vsan application? probably cost a lot....

[rcporto]

A. Buy more drives for my HP Proliant DL380G6 and setup FreeNAS?

Yes, but if this is a production environment, take in mind that FreeNAS will be a point of failure.

B. Buy more drives for my HP Proliant DL380G6 with vsan application? probably cost a lot....

This is recommended if you want a solution for a production environment, if this is just a lab, go ahead with FreeNAS.

[ggomez43]

Right now I have HP Proliant DL380G6 with 4 drive.

Does it make sense to buy another 4drives with as a different second storage raid10?

thanks for the help.

[Ramakrishna Kempaiah]

In 5.5 We support Cross-Host Storage vMotion,  which allows you to move **Powered On** VMs from one unshared datastore to another across hosts

For cold migration, such has in your case you don't need this either and it should work.

you need to choose "Change both host and datastore" option under "Migration Type" to actually move the VM

Migrating Virtual Machines in the vSphere Web Client

Thanks,

[ggomez43]

I will try a cold migration.

This is a test home lab of 1 physical esxi server with two nested esxi.

I am just practicing. I only have local storage.

What is the best way to setup shared storage?

1. Add more hard drives to server?

2. Just buy a second server?

[Ramakrishna Kempaiah]

> What is the best way to setup shared storage?

> 1. Add more hard drives to server?

> 2. Just buy a second server?

You have two options:

A.

Setup VSAN. you will need to setup another nested esxi server. follow this link

http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2013/09/how-to-quickly-setup-and-test-vmware.html

B.

for you existing 2 esxi servers, you can add shared storage which would come from your physical server

from your physical server,

power off nested esxi servers.

i. edit virtual machine settings of one nested esxi server VM from UI and add a New device "SCSI controller" from select menu

ii. Expand this newly added SCSI controller and choose the SCSI Bus Sharing option to "Virtual". Meaning Virtual disks can be shared between virtual machines on the same server

iii. After this add a harddisk from the New device-> select drop down menu. Expand the newly  Newly added "Hard disk" and under "Virtual device Node" selection box  choose the "New SCSI controller" added.

from the other nested esxi server, repeat the above steps (i & ii) and then select "Existing Hard Disk" option from the "New device -> select" drop down menu and from browse menu choose the virtual disk added in step (iii)

Then power-on both nested esxi server VMs. you will be able to see the added harddisk shared between two nested esxi servers

Thanks,

[ggomez43]

Thanks. I will look into your suggestions.

I am studying for VCP5 and need lab to practice....

First time setting up nested ESXi hosts and I guess it's expected to run into this type of things.

[ggomez43]

I think I will try plan B this weekend.

I am also thinking about buying a second physical server. I realize in a nested env their are a lot of workarounds to get things working.

[ggomez43]

In step2, I don't see "choose the SCI Bus Sharing option to virtual?

In step 3. I don't see 'under "Virtual device Node" selection box  choose the "New SCSI controller" added."  please help?

please help??

from your physical server,

power off nested esxi servers.

i. edit virtual machine settings of one nested esxi server VM from UI and add a New device "SCSI controller" from select menu

ii. Expand this newly added SCSI controller and choose the SCSI Bus Sharing option to "Virtual". Meaning Virtual disks can be shared between virtual machines on the same server

iii. After this add a harddisk from the New device-> select drop down menu. Expand the newly  Newly added "Hard disk" and under "Virtual device Node" selection box  choose the "New SCSI controller" added.

from the other nested esxi server, repeat the above steps (i & ii) and then select "Existing Hard Disk" option from the "New device -> select" drop down menu and from browse menu choose the virtual disk added in step (iii)

[Ramakrishna Kempaiah]

you are using Vsphere Client and not NextGen vSphere webClient. hence the difference

if you use vSphere client the menus will show-up in after you create and go to VM edit properties.

editing virtual machine properties -> Hardware -> SCSI controller -> SCSI controller type

Thanks

[ggomez43]

vSphere Web Client 5.5 - I created a new SCSI Controller but the SCSI Bus Sharing is set to None?

vSphere Client 5.5 - I shutdown the VM and right click properties, select SCSI controller and SCSI Bus Sharing is grayed-out?

thanks

[ggomez43]

For vSphere Client 5.5 I am now able to see the SCSI Controller. I logged in the Windows Vm and power down. Shutdown the VM.....same thing I did before.

[ggomez43]

Now that I changed my vm guest SCSI controller to "virtual disk can be shared between virtual machines on the same server". I tried to Migrate to another host and receive an error.

What am I doing wrong?

Please help.

[Ramakrishna Kempaiah]

No, we don't support this for shared controller settings as of today.

Thanks,

[ggomez43]

what do you mean?

[Ramakrishna Kempaiah]

AFAIK Migration is not supported on VMs with SCSI Bus Sharing mode (virtual|physical)

Thanks,

[ggomez43]

Do I need to change the Controller Type?

I have an HP Proliant DL 380G6 and looking to buy a second server instead to run vmotion. I want to make sure I am not wasting money if I cannot run my tasks.

esxi nested lab has to many workarounds....