View source for Migrating a Virtual Machine Between Datastores in VMware ESXi 5.5

'''Summary:'''
How to safely move a virtual machine from one datastore to another in VMware ESXi 5.5 when Storage vMotion or vCenter Server are unavailable.

== Context ==

=== Why Migrate a Virtual Machine? ===

=== Common Migration Scenarios ===

== Migration Methods Available in ESXi 5.5 ==

=== Storage vMotion ===

=== Cold Migration ===

=== Manual Migration ===

== Understanding the Limitations ==

=== Direct ESXi Host Connections ===

=== Free ESXi Licensing ===

=== Why the Migrate Option May Not Appear ===

== Manual Datastore Migration Procedure ==

=== Step 1 – Power Down the Virtual Machine ===

=== Step 2 – Verify Datastore Capacity ===

=== Step 3 – Copy the VM Files ===

=== Step 4 – Remove the VM from Inventory ===

=== Step 5 – Register the VM from the New Datastore ===

=== Step 6 – Power On and Verify ===

=== Step 7 – Remove the Original Copy ===

== Common Pitfalls ==

=== Snapshot Files ===

=== Moving vs Copying ===

=== UUID and MAC Address Changes ===

=== Locked Files ===

=== Thin and Thick Provisioned Disks ===

== Troubleshooting & Diagnostics ==

=== VM Will Not Start ===

=== Missing VMDK Files ===

=== Invalid Configuration Errors ===

=== Datastore Space Issues ===

== Design & Operational Considerations ==

=== When Manual Migration Is Appropriate ===

=== When Storage vMotion Is Worth the Investment ===

=== Documentation and Change Control ===

== Related Topics ==

* [[VMware Datastores]]
* [[Storage vMotion]]
* [[VMFS Volumes]]
* [[VMware ESXi Administration]]

== References ==

* VMware ESXi Documentation
* VMware Storage vMotion Documentation