Skip to content

How to import Physical/Virtual Machines into VergeOS#

The VergeOS Clone Utility (VergeOS-clone.iso) can be used to import external physical or virtual machines into VergeOS as virtual machines. This process is optimized for PtoV (physical-to-virtual) and non-VMware VtoV (virtual-to-virtual) migrations using efficient block transfer.

For VMware environments, use the VMware connector instead of the VergeOS Clone Utility.

Prerequisites#

VergeOS System (Destination)#

  • Network URL accessible from the source VMs.
  • VergeOS credentials with VM creation permissions.
  • Sufficient available vSAN storage for VM drives.

VergeOS vSAN global deduplication reduces the space requirement by handling zero blocks.

  • Adequate RAM/CPU to run the imported VMs.

Source Machine (Physical or Virtual)#

  • Network connection accessible to the VergeOS system.
  • USB/CD-ROM for the VergeOS Clone ISO.
  • At least 1 GB of RAM to boot and run the ISO.

Selecting Sync Method#

  • HTTPS Upload: Default method requiring minimal configuration.
  • vSAN-direct Sync: Optimized for LAN connections (requires additional network setup, not recommended for WAN).

vSAN-direct sync is only allowed to the host system, not directly to tenants.

Obtaining the VergeOS Clone Utility#

  1. From the Main Dashboard, click Backup/DR on the left menu.
  2. Click Add Clone ISO in the Clone ISO section.
  3. Select the desired public download option for the ISO file.
  4. After the build process completes, download the ISO via the provided link or from the VergeOS UI.

You can make a bootable USB using the Creating Bootable Installation Media guide, substituting the Clone ISO.

Using the VergeOS Clone Utility#

  1. Boot the source machine using the VergeOS Clone ISO.
  2. Select Launch Clone Utility.
  3. Choose the NIC to connect to the VergeOS system.
  4. Select DHCP or configure a Static IP.

If using static IP: - Use the arrow keys to navigate between fields. - Press Enter to edit a field and configure the IP, subnet, gateway, and DNS.

  1. Enter the VergeOS system URL and credentials.

Ensure the user has permissions to create VMs.

  1. Confirm the VergeOS connection and proceed.

Clone Utility Configuration#

  1. Enter the name for the VM to be created on VergeOS.
  2. Select the disks to be cloned.
  3. Adjust any Advanced Settings:
    • Send Threads: Default = 4. Adjust for high-latency or high-speed connections.
    • MAC addresses: Choose whether to clone existing MAC addresses or generate new ones.

Setting threads too high may degrade performance.

  1. Begin the clone process by selecting Start Clone.

Resuming a Clone#

If a clone import fails or is interrupted, boot the source machine from the VergeOS Clone ISO again and resume by selecting the previously used VM name.

Rebuilding the Clone ISO#

  1. To rebuild the Clone ISO after updates, go to Backup/DR on the Main Dashboard.
  2. Click Edit Clone ISO and check Force Rebuild.
  3. The rebuild may take a few minutes.

To automate rebuilds after system updates, schedule a task under System > Tasks/Events.

Direct vSAN Network Configuration#

The Direct vSAN transfer method can be used for faster cloning over a local network. It is not recommended for WAN connections.

Direct vSAN can only be used to transfer to a root system (not directly to a tenant).

Network Rules Setup#

Three networking rules must be created:

Core Network Rule - 14201 PAT Rule#

  1. Name: vSAN PAT
  2. Action: Translate
  3. Protocol: TCP
  4. Direction: Incoming
  5. Source: Any / None (default)
  6. Destination Type: Custom
    Custom Filter: ui
    Destination Ports: 14201
  7. Target Type: IP/Custom
    Target IP: ui

UI is a VergeOS keyword that must be entered in lowercase.

Core Network SNAT Rule#

  1. Name: vSAN SNAT for Clone Utility
  2. Action: Translate
  3. Protocol: TCP
  4. Direction: Outgoing
  5. Source: Any / None (default)
  6. Destination Type: My Network Address
    Destination Ports: 14201
  7. Target Type: My Router IP

External Network Rule - 14201 PAT Rule#

  1. Name: vsan PAT
  2. Action: Translate
  3. Protocol: TCP
  4. Direction: Incoming
  5. Source: Source IP/IP range of the incoming clone transfer
  6. Destination Type: My Router IP
    Destination Ports: 14201
  7. Target Type: IP/Custom
    Target IP: ui

Once the rules are created, click Apply Rules to finalize the configuration.

Troubleshooting Common Issues#

Failed DHCP#

If DHCP cannot be found:

  • Verify there is an active DHCP service.
  • Ensure network connectivity is available through the selected NIC.

Login Failed#

  • Check the username, password, and URL format (no "https://").
  • Verify static IP settings and DNS configuration if using static addressing.

OpenSSL Errors#

These errors indicate network problems. Check for MTU mismatches or other network issues.

Permission Denied#

Ensure the VergeOS user has the necessary permissions to create VMs.

If the initial clone fails due to permissions, you can resume the process or delete the VM and restart the clone.

Document Information

  • Last Updated: 2024-08-29
  • vergeOS Version: 4.12.6