29.3 Automated Migration to VMware Using Migrate Web Interface

  1. Launch the PlateSpin Migrate Web Interface.

  2. If you have not configured a VMware platform as a migration target, click Targets > Add Target, and then configure the target VMware platform.

    See the following, depending on the target VMware platform:

  3. On the Workloads page, select the workload you want to configure.

  4. Click Configure Migration.

  5. Select one of the following based on the scope of data you want to transfer from the source to the target:

    • Full Replication: A full volume of data transfer takes place from the source to the target.

    • Incremental Replication: Only differences are transferred from the source to the target, provided they have similar operating system and volume profiles.

  6. Depending on whether you want to perform full replication or incremental replication, do one of the following:

    • Full Replication: Select an existing VMware target platform to which you want to migrate the source workload.

    • Incremental Replication: Select the target type as Virtual Targets.From the list of the prepared target workloads, select a virtual target workload that matches the source workload you want to migrate. If the prepared target workloads list is either empty or does not list a matching target workload, then click Prepare Workload to prepare the target workload to which you want to migrate the source workload.

  7. Click Configure Migration.

  8. Configure the following settings:

    NOTE:All of the following settings are applicable for full replication of the workload. Some of the listed settings might not display or display differently when you configure incremental replication for the workload. For example:

    • The Virtual Machine Configuration Path setting does not display because a target workload matching the source workload must already be available to transfer only the differences from the source to this target.

    • The Volume Mapping setting displays the volumes and their mappings. You can edit the volume mappings.

    Setting Name

    Description

    Schedule Settings

    Incremental Recurrence

    Specify the following:

    • Start of Recurrence: The date when you want to start the replication. You can specify the date or click the calendar icon to select the date. By default, the time is 12:00 a.m.

    • Recurrence Pattern: The pattern to follow for the recurrence of the replication. For example:

      • To use incremental recurrence everyday, select Daily.

      • To never use incremental recurrence, select None.

      NOTE:

      • Scheduled incremental replications are skipped until the first full replication is complete.

      • When you schedule incremental recurrence, the replication takes place for a maximum period of 60 days from the starting time of replication. For example:

        • If you select Daily, then the replication takes place for 60 days from the time the replication starts.

        • If you select Weekly, then the replication takes place for 8 weeks from the time the replication starts.

        • If you select Monthly, then the replication takes place for 2 months from the time the replication starts.

    Full Replication

    Do one of the following:

    • To specify a schedule for the replication, click Start and specify the date when you want to start the full replication.

    • To start full replication manually without setting a schedule, click None.

    NOTE:You must prepare the workload prior to the scheduled time.The full replication cannot run unless the target VM exists and the workload preparation is complete. Migrate skips the scheduled full replication and retries it at the next scheduled time.

    Blackout Window

    Use these settings to force a replication blackout. The replication blackout suspends scheduled replications during peak utilization hours or prevents conflicts between VSS-aware software and the PlateSpin VSS block-level data transfer component.

    To specify a blackout window, click Edit and do the following:

    • Specify the start and end time for the blackout period.

    • Select one of the blackout recurrence pattern such as daily, weekly, or monthly. If you do not want to force a replication blackout, select None.

    NOTE:The blackout start and end times are based on the system clock on the PlateSpin Server.

    Compression Level

    These settings control whether data is compressed during transmission between the source and target workloads, and the level of data compression applied.See Data Compression.Select one of the following options:

    • Fast: Consumes the least CPU resources on the source, but yields a lower compression ratio.

    • Optimal: Consumes optimal CPU resources on the source and yields an optimal compression ratio. This is the recommended option.

    • Maximum: Consumes the most CPU resources on the source, but yields a higher compression ratio.

    Bandwidth Throttling

    These settings control the bandwidth throttling. PlateSpin Migrate enables you to control the amount of available bandwidth consumed by direct source-to-target communication over the course of a workload migration. You can specify a throughput rate for each migration job. Throttling provides a way to prevent migration traffic from congesting your production network and to reduce the overall load of your PlateSpin Server.

    To throttle replications to a specified rate, specify the required throughput value in Mbps and the time pattern.

    Migration Settings

    Transfer Method

    (For Windows Workloads) Select a data transfer mechanism and security through encryption.See Supported Data Transfer Methods.

    To enable encryption, select the Encrypt Data Transfer option. See Security and Privacy.

    Transfer Encryption

    (For Linux Workloads) To enable encryption, select the Encrypt Data Transfer option.See Security and Privacy.

    Source Credentials

    Specify the credentials required for accessing the workload. See Discovery Guidelines for Source Workloads.

    CPU

    (For migration to vCloud and VM platforms using supported versions of VMware 5.5 and later with a minimum VM hardware Level 8) Specify the number of sockets and the number of cores per socket for the target workload. It automatically calculates the total cores and displays the total CPUs. This parameter applies on the initial setup of a workload with an initial replication setting of Full Replication.

    NOTE:The maximum number of cores the workload can use is subject to external factors such as the guest operating system, the VM hardware version, VMware licensing for the ESXi host, and ESXi host compute maximums for vSphere (see ESXi/ESX Configuration Maximums (VMware KB 1003497)).

    Some distributions of a guest OS might not honor the cores and cores per socket configuration. Instead they will retain their original cores and sockets settings as installed.

    Resource Pool for Target VM

    (For migration to VM platform that is part of a DRS Cluster) Specify the Resource Pool location where the migrated VM is to be created.

    VM Folder for Target VM

    (For migration to VM platform that is part of a DRS Cluster) Specify the VM folder location where the migrated VM is to be created.

    Virtual Machine Name

    Specify a display name for the new virtual machine.

    Configuration File Datastore

    Select a datastore associated with your VM for storing VM configuration files.

    Virtual Machine Configuration Path

    Specify the path to the configuration file on the target virtual machine.

    Storage Layout

    Specify the desired layout of data volumes (and volume groups) on the target workload disks:

    • Source-based

      The Source-based storage layout assigns data volumes to disks according to their layout on the source workload.

    • Single disk

      The Single disk storage layout assigns all the data volumes or LVM volume groups to a single disk on the target workload. An LVM volume group might contain multiple volumes.

    • One volume per disk

      The One volume per disk storage layout assigns each data volume or LVM volume group to a separate disk on the target workload. An LVM volume group might contain multiple volumes.

    Storage Options > Disks

    Specify the path to the hard disk on the target virtual machine.

    Storage Options > Volumes

    Select volumes to be included in the target for migration.

    For Windows file-based migrations, you can optionally adjust the size of the target volume by modifying the Size value in the row for that volume.

    NOTE:The ability to adjust the size of the target volume is not currently available in the Disk Layout view of storage in the Migrate Web Interface. See Cannot Adjust the Target Volume Size for File-Based Migrations in the Web Interface.

    NTFS Cluster Size

    (For File-Based Windows Workloads) Specify the cluster size for the NTFS volume. For information about the default cluster size for an NTFS volume, see the Microsoft Support KB Article 140365.

    Non-volume Storage

    (For Linux Workloads) Specify a non-volume storage, such as a swap partition, that is associated with the source workload. This storage is re-created in the migrated workload.

    Disks For Volume Groups

    (For Linux Workloads) Specify the datastore name and the path where the virtual disk must be created on the target machine. You can choose to retain the path specified by default.

    NOTE:Disks that host both regular volumes (such as /boot) and volume groups are configured in the Disks section.

    Volume Groups

    (For Linux Workloads) Specify the LVM volume groups to be migrated with the LVM logical volumes listed in the Converted Logical Volumes section of the settings.

    Converted Logical Volumes

    (For Linux Workloads) Specify one or more LVM logical volumes to be migrated for a Linux workload.

    Replication Network for Target

    Specify a network interface (NIC or IP address) on the target to use for replication traffic.

    Replication Networks for Source

    Specify one or more network interfaces (NIC or IP address) on the source to use for replication traffic.

    Services to Stop Before Any Replication

    (For Windows Workloads) We recommend that all the non-VSS compliant services or anti-virus are stopped temporarily on the source while the VSS snapshot is being captured on the source. Select the Windows services that you want to be temporarily stopped on the source workload while the VSS snapshot is being captured on the source. These services are restored as soon as the VSS snapshot creation completes.

    Services to Stop for Cutover with Replication

    (For Windows Workloads) Select the Windows services that should be permanently stopped on the source workload for cutover with any replication. The services stopped on the source workload during the replication process are not restored after cutover. The stopped services are restored after a Test Cutover.

    Daemons to Stop Before Any Replication

    (For Linux Workloads) Select the Linux daemons that you want to be temporarily stopped on the source workload before replication. These daemons will be restored after replication completes.

    Daemons to Stop for Cutover with Replication

    (For Linux Workloads) Select the Linux daemons that should be permanently stopped on the source workload for Cutover with any Replication. The daemons stopped on the source workload during the replication process are not restored after Cutover. The stopped daemons are restored after a Test Cutover.

    Boot Services to Disable on Target

    (For Windows Workloads) Select the boot services that you want to disable on the target workload.

    Target Workload Settings

    (These settings are applied during the Run Cutover)

    VM Memory

    Specify the amount of memory allocated to the target workload.

    VM Tools

    To install the VM tools, select the Install VM Tools option. This option is selected by default. PlateSpin Migrate uninstalls any VMware tools that are already available on the source and reinstalls the version of VMware tools appropriate for the platform of the VMware target host.

    Hostname

    Do one of the following:

    • To retain the same host name, select No Change.

    • To change the host name, select Set To and specify the new name.

    Domain / Workgroup

    (For Windows Workloads) Depending on whether the source workload belongs to workgroup or domain, one of the following displays:

    • Workgroup: Workgroup_name

      where Workgroup_name is the workgroup name to which the source belongs.

    • Domain: Domain_name

      where Domain_name is the domain name to which the source belongs.

    Do one of the following depending on where you want the target workload to join:

    • When the source workload belongs to a workgroup: Assume that the source workload belongs to a workgroup named WorkGroup1.

      • For the target workload to join the same workgroup (WorkGroup1), retain the following existing selection:

        Workgroup: Workgroup1

      • For the target workload to join a different workgroup (say WorkGroup2), select Join Workgroup and specify the name as WorkGroup2.

      • For the target workload to join a domain, select Join Domain and specify the domain name you want the target to join.

    • When the source workload belongs to a domain: Assume that the source workload belongs to a domain named Domain1.

      • For the target workload to join a workgroup, click Join Workgroup and specify the name of the workgroup you want the target to join.

      • For the target workload to join the same domain (Domain1) with the domain registration settings preserved, retain the following existing selection:

        Domain: Domain1

      • For the target workload to join the same domain (Domain1) without preserving the domain registration settings, select Join Domain and specify the domain name as Domain1.

      • For the target workload to join a different domain, select Join Domain and specify the domain name you want the target to join.

    Domain Credentials

    (For Windows Workloads) If you select Join Domain, specify the domain administrator credentials.

    Network Connections

    Select the local area connection and then select one of the following:

    • DHCP: Obtain an IP address automatically assigned by a DHCP server.

    • Static: Specify one or more static IP addresses, subnet masks, and gateway IP addresses. Click Advanced to add multiple entries, edit an existing entry, or remove an existing entry. The IP addresses must be unique within the supported network.

    For Windows workloads that have more than one NIC, select the connection for each NIC.

    DNS Servers

    Specify the DNS Servers for the target workloads. This is applicable only if you select Static in the Network Connections option:

    • Primary DNS server: Specify the primary DNS server address.

    • Alternative DNS server: Specify an alternate DNS server address.

    • Additional DNS server: To specify additional DNS server addresses:

      1. Click Advanced.

      2. Specify the DNS server address.

      3. Click Add to add the server in the DNS Server Addresses list.

      4. Click OK.

    Services States on Target VM

    (For Windows Workloads) Select Windows services’ start conditions on the target VM. Start options are Automatic, Manual, Disabled, and Automatic (Delayed Start).

    Daemons States to Change

    (For Linux Workloads) Select Linux daemons’ start conditions on the target VM. Enable the daemon to start by selecting the check boxes at the appropriate runlevels (0 to 6) and Boot.

    Post-Migration Action

    Click Configure Action to select a previously configured custom action that you want to execute on your target workload as a part of the migration job. The command line parameters and timeout value that you previously configured for the selected action is displayed by default. You can edit these values as required. If you choose to timeout the action and have not specified any timeout value, then PlateSpin Migrate waits for a maximum period of 7200 seconds before timing out this action. For information about managing the post-migrations, see Managing Post-Migration Actions.

    NOTE:The post-migration action that you configure for the Target Workload Settings is automatically applicable for the Target Workload Test Settings and you cannot edit it.

    Target Workload Test Settings

    (These settings are applied during the Test Cutover)

    Copy Target Workload Settings

    Click the Copy Target Workload Settings option to automatically copy the workload settings from Target Workload Settings (These settings are applied during the Run Cutover) section to Target Workload Test Settings (These settings are applied during the Test Cutover) section.

    VM Memory

    Specify the amount of memory allocated to the target workload.

    VM Tools

    To install the VM tools, select the Install VM Tools option. This option is selected by default. PlateSpin Migrate uninstalls any VMware tools that are already available on the source and reinstalls the version of VMware tools appropriate for the platform of the VMware target host.

    Hostname

    Do one of the following:

    • To retain the same host name, select No Change.

    • To change the host name, select Set To and specify the new name.

    Domain / Workgroup

    (For Windows Workloads) Depending on whether the source workload belongs to workgroup or domain, one of the following displays:

    • Workgroup: Workgroup_name

      where Workgroup_name is the workgroup name to which the source belongs.

    • Domain: Domain_name

      where Domain_name is the domain name to which the source belongs.

    Do one of the following depending on where you want the target workload to join:

    • When the source workload belongs to a workgroup: Assume that the source workload belongs to a workgroup named WorkGroup1.

      • For the target workload to join the same workgroup (WorkGroup1), retain the following existing selection:

        Workgroup: Workgroup1

      • For the target workload to join a different workgroup (say WorkGroup2), select Join Workgroup and specify the name as WorkGroup2.

      • For the target workload to join a domain, select Join Domain and specify the domain name you want the target to join.

    • When the source workload belongs to a domain: Assume that the source workload belongs to a domain named Domain1.

      • For the target workload to join a workgroup, click Join Workgroup and specify the name of the workgroup you want the target to join.

      • For the target workload to join the same domain (Domain1) with the domain registration settings preserved, retain the following existing selection:

        Domain: Domain1

      • For the target workload to join the same domain (Domain1) without preserving the domain registration settings, select Join Domain and specify the domain name as Domain1.

      • For the target workload to join a different domain, select Join Domain and specify the domain name you want the target to join.

    Domain Credentials

    (For Windows Workloads) If you select Join Domain, specify the domain administrator credentials.

    Network Connections

    Select the network connection and then select one of the following:

    • DHCP: Obtain an IP address automatically assigned by a DHCP server.

    • Static: Specify one or more static IP addresses, subnet masks, and gateway IP addresses. Click Advanced to add multiple entries, edit an existing entry, or remove an existing entry. The IP addresses must be unique within the supported network.

    DNS Servers

    Specify the DNS Servers for the target workloads. This is applicable only if you select Static in the Network Connections option:

    • Primary DNS server: Specify the primary DNS server address.

    • Alternative DNS server: Specify an alternate DNS server address.

    • Additional DNS server: To specify additional DNS server addresses:

      1. Click Advanced.

      2. Specify the DNS server address.

      3. Click Add to add the server in the DNS Server Addresses list.

      4. Click OK.

    Services States on Target VM

    (For Windows Workloads) Select Windows services that must be automatically stopped on the target VM.

    Daemons States to Change

    (For Linux Workloads) Select Linux daemons that must be automatically stopped on the target VM.

    Post-Migration Action

    The post-migration action that you configure for the Target Workload Settings is automatically applied and cannot be changed.

    Tag

    Tag

    Select a tag to assign to the workload. See Managing Workload Tags.

  9. (Optional) To change the target, click Change Target.

    NOTE:If you change the target, all the settings you specified will be cleared.

  10. Do one of the following:

    • Click Save to save the settings.

    • Click Save and Prepare to save the settings and start preparing the workload migration.

    • Click Cancel to exit.