We use Symanatec System Recovery 2011 (latest updates installed) to backup a Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard (fully patched). The source server has 2 MBR hard disk volumes: We wanted to do a P2V migration of this server to a VMWare ESXi 5.1 (build 1065491). We used VMware vCenter Converter Standalone Client (5.1.0 Build 1087880) to directly convert the .sv2i backup image to the ESXi. The conversion was successful however the new VM does not boot - simply a white cursor appears on the black console window - nothing more. Any ideas what the problem could be?

Oliver, As you are using a different vendors product to do the conversion, it's difficult to give you any help/advice here. If you upgraded to SSR 2013, you could use this to do the conversion (SSR 2011 does not support ESX 5.1 but 2013 does). Any chances you can test again using SSR 2013 SP1 for the conversion?

Thanks Chris. I am sure that we checked the SSR 2011 SCL last month to see if it was compatible - the SCL was changed at the beginning of May ;O). Just checked again, yes you are right, only SSR 2013 supports ESXi 5.1. Will download the 60 day demo and re-try. Thanks, Oliver

Oliver, OK, let us know how you get on with SSR 2013 SP1 then...

We have updated to SSR 2013 (11.0.1.47662) - this did not help the issue, same problem. I assume this is SP1? I then tried to backup just the C:, D: & E: partitions (left out the hidden Dell partitions) - now the vmconverter has a problem reading the image with error "fault.ImportSourceFault.summary". Any ideas what we can do here?

Yes, that is SP1. Have you tried using SSR to do the P2V conversion?

Converted .sv2i SBS2011 image does not boot

23 Replies

Oliver_Buckie
Level 4
12 years ago
Chris,

As requested, below are screenshots of the whole process right up until the error:

Yes, before you ask... I have defined the correct IP for the ESXi server and am using the correct login credentils ;O)
criley
Moderator
12 years ago
Oliver,

Are you able to open a support case for this so that I can work more closely with you?

If yes, please reply with your case number.
Oliver_Buckie
Level 4
12 years ago
I have opened support cases in the past - please let me know the URL so that I can log a call. Should I then reference you?

Thanks, Oliver
criley
Moderator
12 years ago
You can open a case here: https://my.symantec.com/

If this does not work for you, you can also do it via phone: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/techsupp_contact_phone.jsp

Just reply back here with the case number.
Oliver_Buckie
Level 4
12 years ago
Chris,

I think I have just found the issue - I turned off my proxy in IE and voilà, I can now browse the datastore! Feature request: prompt for a proxy ;O)

I have just set off a conversion... which will run tonight. Hopefully tomorrow morning we will see the results!

BTW, the wizard ask for a temporary location for conversion files. Do I need to have the volume sizes which I am restoring as free disk space?
criley
Moderator
12 years ago
That's good to hear.

No, the temporary location only requires minimal disk space - certainly nothing like the total volume size or used space of the volumes that you are converting.
Oliver_Buckie
Level 4
12 years ago
Well, the job finished successfully after 7.5 hours! To note: almost 50% faster than a vmware converter job which took around 14 hours!

Now I have 2 .vmdk in my datastore. How do I bind them to a VM? Have you a HowTo for me?
criley
Moderator
12 years ago
You need to create a new VM and then just simply add these VMDK's in as new disks.

However, I see a potential problem here - your earlier screenshot showed that a single VMDK is being created for both C and E. Because of this, I wonder if the server will have trouble booting. If it does not boot successfully, you may need to run the conversion again and select the option for 'Create one virtual disk per volume'.
Oliver_Buckie
Level 4
12 years ago
Exactly my problem... I created a new VM and added the 2 VMDK's as new disks - the server does not boot. Before I do another conversion and 'Create one virtual disk per volume' , just a quick question. My image does not contain the 2 hidden Dell partitions (1 x 32MB and 1 x 3GB NTFS Recovery) - could this have something to do with my boot problem?
criley
Moderator
12 years ago
Looks like the Recovery Partition (3GB) is the active partition so you need to back that up and convert it to P2V.

As a test, just convert the recovery partition and volume C, then convert to VMDK. This will be quicker than also converting your large data (D) volume.

If the VM still does not boot, try this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2501318