The VMs migration from VMware to Proxmox VE platform can be easily accomplished using the backup solution Veeam Backup & Replication.
The uncertain situation of VMware following the Broadcom acquisition is prompting many organizations to migrate their workloads from VMware to Proxmox VE or to other virtualization solutions.
VMs migration from VMware to Proxmox
The migration from VMware to Proxmox can be done in different ways, more or less complicated.
Using Veeam Backup & Replication the migration operation can be an easy task. Starting from version 12.2, Veeam offers full support for the Proxmox VE virtual environment, enabling it to serve as a solution for migrating running VMware VMs to this platform.
Veeam can safely backup and restore Proxmox VMs providing the same capabilities already provided for the supported virtual platforms.
Prerequisites and assumptions
For a successful migration from VMware to Proxmox, there are some prerequisites that must be met:
- A functional Proxmox VE environment is set up and operational.
- Veeam must have the network connectivity to both VMware and Proxmox environments.
- Veeam Backup & Replication is already configured for your VMware infrastructure, including Backup Jobs, Proxies, and Backup Repositories.
- Veeam network connectivity to both VMware and Proxmox environments is established and functional.
- Add Proxmox VE nodes to Veeam
First step is the configuration of Proxmox VE nodes in Veeam.
From the Backup Infrastructure area, right click the Managed Servers section and select Add server.
Select Virtualization platforms.
Select Proxmox VE.
Enter the DNS name or IP address of the Proxmox node then click Next.
Specify the Credentials to use and click Next. The selected account must have the root privileges in Proxmox.
Click Yes to accept the SSH key fingerprint.
Select the Storage to save snapshots then click Apply.
When the server is registered, click Next.
Click Finish to save the configuration.
The system automatically prompts the request to deliver one worker (the data mover). Click Yes.
Enter the Name and select the Storage to use. Click Next.
Click Add and specify the Network Settings to use. Click OK.
DNS servers must be specified if no DHCP is used. Click the link Obtain automatically and enter the DNS server addresses. Click OK to confirm.
Click Apply.
Enable the Test the worker configuration when I click Finish option and click Finish.
The worker is deployed and tested successfully. Click Close.
The configured worker in Veeam.
The Worker installed in the Proxmox node.
The added Proxmox node in Veeam.
Repeat the same configuration for all nodes member of the Proxmox cluster.
Creation of the Backup Jobs
Create a Backup Job as you normally do in Veeam that includes the VMs you want to migrate. Alternatively, you can use existing VMware backups.
Essentially, any backups available from the configured platforms in Veeam can be used to restore those VMs to the Proxmox environment.
Migration to Proxmox
Once the Backup Job for the VMware VMs has been completed, the migration from VMware to Proxmox can be performed with a restore operation by specifying Proxmox as the target destination.
Access the Backup > Disk section and expand the Backup Job including the VMs to migrate. Select the VMs you want to migrate, right click the selection and choose the Restore entire VM to Proxmox VE option. Note the available options to migrate VMs to other virtual platforms.
The last Restore point should be used for the migration. Click Next.
The Restore to a new location, or with different settings option is the only one available. Click Next.
Select the VMs to locate in a specific host then click Host. Select the desired host then click OK.
When the hosts have been assigned, click Next.
Select the VM to configure, click Storage and specify the storage to use. Click OK to confirm.
Now click Disk Type and select the desired disk type to configure then click OK.
Click Next when done.
If requested, the VM name can be changed. Select the VM and click Name. Set name to and click OK.
If you want to leave the original names, click Next.
Select the VM and click Network. Select the appropriated Proxmox network and click OK.
When all the VMs have been configured, click Next.
Click Next.
Optionally enable Power on target VM after restoring then click Finish to start the migration.
The restore is being performed.
Depending of the VM size, after some minutes the migration operation is completed successfully.
When the restore operation is complete, some post-migration tasks, such as IP Address and DNS update if a different subnet is used, must be performed to ensure the correct functionality.
To finalize the migration from VMware to Proxmox, power on the migrated VMs and verify that everything works as expected.
Migrate from VMware to Proxmox Summary
Due to the new licensing costs introduced by Broadcom for VMware products, businesses may need to migrate running services to alternative solutions, such as Proxmox, to maintain cost efficiency.
Veeam provides a reliable solution for a straightforward migration from VMware to Proxmox without the hassle of complex configurations.
Veeam Backup & Replication can be downloaded as 30-day trial.
