Convert or Import VMWARE Workstation images (VMX) to ESX Server

Uma Mahesh.G
Senior QA Engineer
gunipati81@gmail.com

Introduction: Convert or import Vmware workstation images VMX files to ESX Server images.

Ex: Windows Server 2003 SP2

Prerequisites:

a. VMware workstation
b. VMware ESX Server Credentials
c. VMware Converter
d. Download sysrep files from Sysrep files for windows server 2003 sp2 and install it.

VMWARE Converter:

1. Download VMware converter from http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/ and install

VMware converter on local machine

2. Open VMware converter from Start > Programs > VMware > VMware Converter

Step 1: Source

1. Select Source Type as “Other” from the source drop down list.
2. Give Source VM or Image: Virtual Machine name and location of the VMWARE Workstation
image (VMX ) file
a. Ex : \\172.16.226.8\vmwares\win2k3sp2
3. Source Data: If you want to increase or decrease disk space of VMX file, go to Volume: Drop
down list and change the size of your machine drives.

Step 2: Destination

1. Select Destination Type as “Vmware infrastructure Virtual Machine” from the destination drop
down list.
2. Destination Login: Specify the VMware ESX Server IPAddress, Username and Password
3. VMName: Give the Virtual machine name ex : Win2k3Sp2
4. Select Host: (ESX SERVER NAME)
5. Data store : Gives the details of space available in the ESX Server
6. Networks : Select No of Nic cards for your ESX SERVER Image machine

Step 3: Customization

1. Select Install Vmware Tools (which enhances your resolution and timing functionalities)
2. Select “Customize identity of the VM”
3. Instead of restarting your VMware machine for NetBIOS name and other details. Give computer
name or NetBIOS name , Owner name, organization and location of sysrep files ( Deploy
folder contains sysrep.exe file)

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Uma Mahesh.G
 4. Give the product ID : KEY information or you can continue with the default options
5. Select Time Zone as per your time location
6. Select “Nic” network adapter
7. Give workgroup or domain details
8. Continue with the default options

Wait for 10 to 30 mins, and then you can start using converted image with your VMware
workstation or Server.

TIPS:

1. How to increase or decrease the size of the Vmware machine?

Ans: You can increase or decrease the size of the C: or D: drives of your Vmware by following
steps in Step1: Source > Source data (3rd step)

2. Where to find sysrep files in the system?

Ans: Download Sysrep files for windows server 2003 sp2 exe and install it. Search for
deploy.cab files. Extract these files and give the location of the deploy.exe file.

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Uma Mahesh.G