Lab: VMware Migration

Plan and execute a VMware-to-VergeOS migration end-to-end, including VM import, network reconfiguration, and validation.

Objective

Plan and execute a full VMware-to-VergeOS migration. You will assess existing VMware workloads, plan the migration, import VMs into VergeOS, reconfigure networking, and validate that workloads are running correctly post-migration.

Prerequisites

• Completed all prior modules (1–9)
• Completed the HCI and UCI Deployment Labs
• A running VergeOS cluster (from a previous lab or dedicated environment)
• Access to a VMware environment with at least 1–2 VMs to migrate (or exported VM files)
• Understanding of VMware networking concepts (vSwitches, port groups, VLANs)

Difficulty

Advanced -- Requires hands-on experience with both VMware and VergeOS environments

Estimated Time

2 hours

Steps

Part 1: Migration Planning

Assess the source environment and plan the migration.

1. Inventory the VMware environment:

   • List VMs to migrate (name, OS, vCPU, RAM, disk size)
   • Document network configuration (port groups, VLANs, IP addresses)
   • Identify storage requirements (thin/thick provisioned, total capacity)
   • Note any special configurations (GPU passthrough, RDMs, snapshots)
2. Create a migration plan document that includes:

   • Source-to-target resource mapping (VMware → VergeOS)
   • Network mapping (vSphere port groups → VergeOS virtual networks)
   • Migration order and dependencies between VMs
   • Rollback strategy
   • Estimated downtime per VM
3. Verify the target VergeOS cluster has sufficient capacity for all migrated workloads

Part 2: VM Import

Import VMs from VMware into VergeOS.

VMware Connector

For live production migrations, consider using the VMware Connector (Import/Export → VMware Services → New Service) which connects directly to vSphere via API and performs incremental backups using Change Block Tracking (CBT) while the source VMs remain running — only a brief final cutover backup (with the source VM powered down) is required for the switchover. The steps below use the OVF/file import method, which is suitable for lab environments.

1. Export VMs from VMware (OVF/OVA format) or prepare for direct import
2. In the VergeOS UI, navigate to Virtual Machines → + New VM → --Import from Files--
3. Import the first VM and configure:

   • CPU and memory allocation
   • Disk assignment to the appropriate storage tier
   • Network interface mapping to VergeOS virtual networks
4. Start the imported VM and verify it boots successfully
5. Repeat for additional VMs
6. Document any issues encountered during import and how they were resolved

Part 3: Network Reconfiguration

Ensure migrated VMs have proper network connectivity.

1. Verify each migrated VM's network interface is connected to the correct VergeOS virtual network
2. Confirm IP addressing:

   • If using DHCP, verify the VM received an address
   • If using static IPs, verify the configuration is correct
3. Test connectivity:

   • VM-to-VM communication within the same network
   • VM access to external networks
   • Any required firewall rules are in place
4. Compare network performance before and after migration (if measurable)

Part 4: Validation & Documentation

Validate the migration and create a runbook.

1. For each migrated VM, verify:

   • Application/service is running correctly
   • Performance is acceptable (CPU, memory, disk I/O)
   • All network connectivity is functional
   • Any scheduled tasks or cron jobs are running
2. Run a basic load test or application test to confirm stability
3. Create a migration runbook documenting:

   • Step-by-step process followed
   • Issues encountered and resolutions
   • Time taken per VM
   • Recommendations for future migrations at scale
4. Identify what you would do differently in a production migration

Verification

Your VMware migration lab is complete when you can answer yes to all of the following:

• Created a detailed migration plan with source-to-target resource mapping
• Successfully imported at least one VM from VMware into VergeOS
• Verified the imported VM boots and runs its application/service correctly
• Confirmed network connectivity for all migrated VMs
• Documented the migration process as a reusable runbook
• Identified lessons learned and recommendations for production migrations