At the moment we are wasting big amount of storage on our existing SAN.
We would like to move all the clusturs, hosts and VMS accross our New SAN.
I am wondering what sort of tools I can use to perform this task. because we have got few application Servers, Exhange 2010, Citrix with in the network.

also I have a question in mind that Do I can move VMs with high disk capacity from Old SAN to low disk Capacity in New SAN?

Thanks!

Hello Amyn,

You can move VMs without any tools.

You can use VMM 2012 / VMM 2008 R2 or you can import and export Virtual Machines.

To Cluster add new LUN from New SAN , add this disk to CSV.

Then start to migrate VMs from Old LUN to New LUN.

Sincerely,

Murat Demirkiran

Hey Thanks Murat,

could you please suggest me on this.

How about the VHD sizes, can I move 1.5GB VDH to 1GB?

Looking for your reply.

Thanks

Hello Amyn,

You can normally easily import and export VMs.

About importing and Exporting VMs, you can follow Ben Armstrong's Blog Post.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2008/08/26/hyper-v-export-import-part-1.aspx

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2008/08/27/hyper-v-export-import-part-2.aspx

And with VMM 2008 , you can check for the following link;

http://www.ms4u.info/2010/01/quick-storage-migration-via-vmm.html

Sincerely,

Murat Demirkiran

Hi Amyn,

I would like to ensure you need to archive the 2 objectives in below.

1. Migrate VM from old to new storage

There are many ways for storage migration as Murat has explains. The VMM is one the interesting option. If, you don't have VMM on your premise but have time for experimental the new System Center product, please use a trial version from Microsoft. 

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=10712

Or work with export on network drive

http://blogs.technet.com/b/enterprise_admin/archive/2009/11/02/exporting-hyper-v-vms-over-the-network.aspx

2. Shrink virtual hard disk from current to new tiny size

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc708394(v=ws.10).aspx

Hey Folks,

Thanks for your giving your advise and time.

Please allow me some time to go through with all your provided URLs and I will get back to you guys.

Appreciate your help.

Thanks!

Hey Can you guys also suggest me on this.

this would be a great idea to use Robocopy or Shadow Protect Software to backup VHD from Existing SAN and Restore in New SAN?

Thanks

Hey guys,

I appreciate your great response.

Our Panel has decided to move perform this task by using Robocopy.

Hello Amyn,

Question, If VMs come corrupted , will you loose anything? What happens if config files corrupt?

Question 2 : Did you try with one with robocopy? You mean delete VM from the cluster , then robocopy , then ? You will loose configuration .

This will get you more problem. Please first try one then decide.

Sincerely

Murat Demirkiran

Hey Murat,

you right, Definetly I will perform few test migrations before I Will move on.

- we will create a LUN and blocks on our New SAN

- then isntead of migrate VMs we will create a new VMs with New VHDs.

- Pull down old VMs and by using robocopy . copy the drive across on the boot level.

- change the drive letter same as old VHD

- bring the new VM up on new SAN and disable the old for a while.

If everything will go smooth then only we will move all our VM Across.

would be great if you can share your views on the above given highlights.

Thanks!

Hello Amyn,

My suggestion is export VM to new lun.

Otherwise all ip configurations you will loose.

I did these moves thousands time :) Best way to use export - import. More safely.

If you will wait for the weekend, I had prepared a documentation about this. I can post in weekend.

Sincerely,

Murat Demirkiran

Hello Murat,

That's great if you could help me with some step to step guide.
I am alright to wait till this weekend because I am expecting New SAN sometime by end of this week

I am looking forward to see your prepared documentation.

Thanks & Regards,

Amyn

Hi Murat

can you pls. post the documentation you mentioned. Also would it cover migrating Hyper V clusters too.

To give you a proper answer to your questions, please share which hypervisor you are using.

Is it Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2012?

-kn