VMware GSX 3 User Manual

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C H A P T E R   5  Moving and Sharing Virtual Machines
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move them to a shared network directory, for example, or burn them to CD-
ROMs or DVD-ROMs.
Once you know how you are going to move the virtual machine, go to 
.
• If you are moving this virtual machine to another directory on this host, then 
you are ready to make the move. Copy all the files in the virtual machine’s 
original directory to the new location. If you stored any files in directories 
other than the virtual machine directory, be sure to move them into a 
directory of the same name and same position relative to the location of the 
virtual machine. 
Start the VMware Virtual Machine Console and open the new virtual machine 
you just moved. Choose File > Open Virtual Machine, then browse to the 
virtual machine’s configuration (.vmx) file. 
Moving a Virtual Machine to a New Host
1. Make sure GSX Server is installed and working correctly on the new host.
2. Create a directory on the new host for the virtual machine you are moving. 
Locate the virtual disk files you are moving and copy them into the new 
directory. Be sure to copy all the files in the virtual machine’s original directory. If 
you stored any files in directories other than the virtual machine directory, be 
sure to move them into a directory of the same name and same position relative 
to the location of the virtual machine. Set permissions on the directory so that it 
is accessible to all users of the virtual machine.
If, for some reason, you are not moving a file, make sure you do not have any 
paths pointing to that file. Use the virtual machine settings editor and check to 
see if your virtual machine is pointing to the correct location for files (choose 
VM > Settings) you do not move. In the virtual machine settings editor, select 
each device and be sure that any devices with associated files are pointed to the 
correct files. Also, check the Options tab to be sure the location for the redo-log 
file is correct.
Note:  If you have taken a snapshot of the virtual machine, you can simplify the 
move by removing the snapshot — or reverting to the snapshot, then removing 
it. If you want to keep the snapshot, be sure to move the redo-log (.REDO) files 
along with all the other files in the virtual machine’s directory.
3. Launch the VMware Virtual Machine Console and open the virtual machine you 
just moved. Choose File > Open Virtual Machine, then browse to the virtual 
machine’s configuration (.vmx) file.