Convert a Linux ESXi Virtual Machine to Xenserver

Since I had to migrate my hypervisor from vmware ESXi to Citrix Xenserver 6.5, I had to convert my Centos Linux 6.x Virtual Machines.
The main difference in Xenserver is that the Linux kernel is paravirtualized.

Tools for the trade:
- vmware vSphere Client
- Xencenter
- Very little Linux terminal skills :)

STEP 1

Optional: take a snapshot

Drop into vSphere Client and take a snapshot.

It is safe to take a snapshot prior to daamge your work

STEP 2

Uninstall vmware Tools

Connect to virtual machine console and type as root:

# rpm -e --nodeps $( rpm -qa | grep vmware-tools)




STEP 3

Export the Virtual Machine into an OVF Package.

Shutdown your VM then in VSphere Client Select your VM and click on File->Export->Export OVF Template

Export your VM - now you can go take some coffee

STEP 4

Import The VM in Xenserver

Now move to Xencenter, right click on the Pool then select Import...

Time to import your VM - now you can go take another coffee

Follow the instructions on wizard

STEP 5

Configure VM for PV.

Power on your VM and login to console as root.

Remove the stock kernel and install the xen-aware kernel by typing

# yum remove kernel
# yum install kernel-xen


Edit the bootloader, add to "kernel=" line

console=hvc0


Then shutdown your VM.

Now open a console to your Xenserver host and change boot policy from HVM to PV:

xe vm-list name-label=[NAME-OF-YOUR-VM]
uuid ( RO)           : [UUID-OF-YOUR_VM]
     name-label ( RW): SOGo
    power-state ( RO): halted

xe vm-param-set uuid=[UUID-OF-YOUR_VM] HVM-boot-policy="" PV-bootloader=pygrub PV-args="graphical utf-8"

xe vm-disk-list uuid=[UUID-OF-YOUR_VM]
Disk 0 VBD:
uuid ( RO)             : [UUID-OF-VBD]
    vm-name-label ( RO): SOGo
       userdevice ( RW): 0
[...]

xe vbd-param-set uuid=[UUID-OF-VBD] bootable=true

Then Power on your VM and Install XenTools.

Source: CTX121875