4

I've been given a folder of a VM (with .vmdk, .vmx, ...), created and used in VMWare Workstation. I want to use it on my VMWare ESXi.

How do I correctly import the VM?

I've tried to import it, by copying the folder to the ESXi datastore, then Create/Register VM, Register an existing virtual machine and finally choose the .vmx file of the copied folder.

The adding of the VM appears to work just fine, but when I try to start it, ESXi states:

Failed to open disk scsi0:0: Unsupported or invalid disk type 7. Ensure that the disk has been imported.
Unable to create virtual SCSI device for scsi0:0, '/<disk-store>/import/<the-workstation-folder>/<target-vm>.vmdk'
Module DevicePowerOn power on failed.
Failed to start the virtual machine.

In the settings of the new ESXI VM, I see that the path is correct and the virtual disk file is really in that location.

Is there another way to import the VM? Do I have to modify the disk settings on the ESXi?

I have no access to VMWare Workstation, where the VM was originally created/used.

Improve this question
4
  • Why didn't you just export it as an OVF/OVA?
    – Chopper3
    Jun 16, 2017 at 8:24
  • @Chopper3 See the question, I've been given the folder only and I don't have access to the Workstation, where the VM was originally created/used.
    – SaAtomic
    Jun 16, 2017 at 8:27
  • Oh well you're out of luck then - no solution.
    – Chopper3
    Jun 16, 2017 at 11:41
  • @Chopper3 no, not really. A viable solution has been posted by Gerald Schneider, as you can see below.
    – SaAtomic
    Jun 16, 2017 at 12:13

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
4

VMware Workstation VMs are not compatible to ESXi. VMware Workstation uses different virtual hardware than ESXi.

The easiest way is to convert the VM using VMware Converter.

Improve this answer
2
  • And what is the solution when the Hardware compatibility is explicitly set to ESXi X.Y virtual machine?
    – The Thirsty Ape
    Mar 30 at 3:08
  • 1
    @TheThirstyApe you should ask a question about that. Please provide more concrete information about your case when you do.
    – Gerald Schneider
    Mar 30 at 6:44
4

As another option, you can use StarWind V2V that also converts VMware Workstation VM image to ESXi one.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .