Platespin PowerConvert and Vizioncore esxMigrator vs FREE?

So you have heard about the new “free” tools from Vmware - for many it will make sense and for others it won’t. A few items to consider. If I am off on any of this , please send me a note to sshea@expertserver.com

ESX 2 to Vi3 Migration (Free with ESX 3.01? or esxMigrator)

  1. The free tool is rumored to be a one way only migration, the VM can not be used again on ESX2 if there is a failure when migrating

  2. The “free” tool is rumored not to upgrade the hardware of the VM, not upgrade the VMTools
  3. esxMigrator does NOT require a SAN
  4. esxMigrator does NOT require similar hardware with the same CPU types
  5. esxMigrator CAN migrate over a WAN, T1, etc to a remote ESX 3 server
  6. esxMigrator does NOT require VirtualCenter (VC is usually not at remote sites)
  7. esxMigrator is simple to use for any level admin
  8. esxMigrator upgrades VMX Hardware
  9. esxMigrator upgrades VMTools
  10. esxMigrator retains IP addresses for all the source VM’s network cards and the resulting VM on VI3 will have the exact SAME addresses
  11. esxMigrator does not modify the source VM, so you can fail back if you chose or if there is a migration issue
  12. esxMigrator can move the VM between SANs with minimal downtime (downtime is just an automatic reboot)
  13. The free tool is very slow on the copy process (VMotion) with no way to control when the vmotion is done. So although it is a “free” tool many man hours will need to be used to monitor the process so when it is finally done , one can MANUALLY upgrade the tools to get it up and running in VI3.

VMware Converter (Free in some cases? or Platespin PowerConvert)
A good article about this can be found at a TechTarget publication

“VMware rechristens, revamps P2V Assistant” and “Support concerns repel user from free VMware“

VMware Converter could be in beta for an expected 6 month period and that historically as a free product would not have any or very limited support

  • Windows AND Linux which seems increasingly important to larger accounts - Vmware wont address this

  • No installed agents or filter drivers in the implementation which seems to be a key factor for some clients
  • Vmware seems to be targeting this product for smaller engagements
  • Platespin has integration with a wider set of backup and imaging products ( Acronis TrueImage, Symantec LiveState)
  • Platespin has full support for V2P and P2P operations
  • Platespin supports VMware and MSVS and soon Xen all in the one solution
  • No API accessibility for VM tool

This entry was posted on October 10, 2006 at 6:39 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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