How to Migrate VMware ESXi VMs to Proxmox VE: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide on migrating virtual machines (VMs) from VMware ESXi to Proxmox VE. You'll learn two methods for seamless migration, ensuring minimal downtime and effective transfer of your virtual disk data. Following these steps will help you transition your workloads smoothly while maintaining system integrity.

Step 1: Enable Remote SSH Access

• Access your VMware ESXi host.
• Navigate to the SSH settings and enable SSH access. This is crucial for transferring files between the ESXi host and Proxmox.

Step 2: Check Original VMware VM Configuration

• Verify the configuration of the original VM on VMware ESXi.
• Take note of its settings such as CPU, memory, and network configurations to replicate them on Proxmox.

Step 3: Create a New VM on Proxmox Host

• Log in to your Proxmox web interface.
• Click on the "Create VM" option.
• Configure the new VM with the same specifications as the original VMware VM.

Step 4: Check New Proxmox VM Configuration

• Go through the newly created VM settings in Proxmox.
• Ensure they match the original VMware VM configurations.

Step 5: Connect to Proxmox Shell

• Access the Proxmox shell (console) via the web interface or SSH.
• This will allow you to execute commands for copying files.

Step 6: Copy Virtual Disk Data

• Use the scp command to copy the virtual disk files from the original ESXi VM to the Proxmox VM.
• Example command:

  scp root@<ESXi_IP>:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name.vmdk /path/to/proxmox/storage/
  

• Ensure that the destination path is correctly set to your Proxmox storage.

Step 7: Convert Virtual Disk to Thin Provisioned Format

• In the Proxmox shell, convert the copied disk to the thin provisioned format using the following command:

  qemu-img convert -O qcow2 /path/to/proxmox/storage/vm_name.vmdk /path/to/proxmox/storage/vm_name-thin.qcow2
  

Step 8: Attach the Imported Disk to Proxmox VM

• Go back to the Proxmox web interface.
• Select the new VM and navigate to the "Hardware" tab.
• Add the converted disk as a new hard disk.

Step 9: Delete Temporary Virtual Disk Files

• After successfully attaching the disk, delete the original copied files to free up storage space:

  rm /path/to/proxmox/storage/vm_name.vmdk
  

Step 10: Configure Boot Options for Proxmox VM

• Ensure that the VM's boot options are set to boot from the newly attached disk.
• This can be done in the "Options" section of the VM settings.

Step 11: Start the Destination Proxmox VM

• Power on the VM from the Proxmox web interface.
• Monitor the boot process to ensure it starts correctly.

Step 12: Install Proxmox VirtIO Drivers

• Prepare to install VirtIO drivers in the guest OS of the Proxmox VM for optimal performance.
• Attach the VirtIO driver ISO to the VM and boot from it to install the necessary drivers.

Step 13: Migration with ESXi Import Tools (Alternative Method)

Introduction to the Second Method

• If you prefer a more automated approach, you can use the ESXi import tools.

Step 14: Update Proxmox Host

• Ensure your Proxmox host is up to date.
• Install any required updates that facilitate the use of ESXi import tools.

Step 15: Connect ESXi Datastore to Proxmox Host

• Connect the source ESXi datastore to your Proxmox host.
• This can involve configuring storage access parameters.

Step 16: Check Original VMware VM Power State

• Verify the power state of the original VM in VMware ESXi.
• Ensure it is powered off before migration.

Step 17: Initiate VM Migration

• Use the ESXi import tool commands to start the migration process.
• Follow the prompts to transfer the VM to Proxmox.

Conclusion

Migrating VMs from VMware ESXi to Proxmox VE can be accomplished through careful planning and execution. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth migration process while maintaining your virtual environment's integrity. After migration, consider implementing a backup solution like NAKIVO to protect your workloads effectively.