Help migrating VMs from Hyper-V to Sangfor HCI

Hello community,
I am trying to migrate around 30 VMs hosted on an old Hyper-V server to our new Sangfor HCI infrastructure, but I am stuck trying to export the VMs in a format that Sangfor HCI can import.
I also tried to directly copy the .vhd (and also converting it to qcow2) but using it as an existing disk on a new VM returns the following error:

1. Create Failed. create VM operation failed. Error: Disk is invalid. Please check whether the disk is imported. If yes, contact technical support representative for troubleshooting

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Which is the correct way to migrate Hyper-V VMs to Sangfor HCI?

(bonus points if the migration can be done without shutting down the guest and especially host system)

Hi, you can use the SCMT tool. It's for migrating vm from any HCI platform to SANGFOR HCI platform. You can do a live migrate however bear in mind that it'll affect IOPS of server. Usually for critical vm I reccommend do it after working hours while non-crtitical can be done during working hours.

Here's an example to download the tool and the manual. For now I've tried from VMWARE to HCI and it works. For Hyper-V it should work. Bare it mind that it works smoothly with windows based but linux it's a bit tricky.

You can request to Sangfor to create a custom agent to help the linux vm migration but it'll take some time for the custom. There's another way using such as using iso file to migrate linux based but I can't remember how it's done. Still trying to find the manual for that

In a nutshell on how the SCMT works is that it will create an agent. That agent will be installed on the VM that required to migrated. The agent will assist on searching the SCMT IP to initiate the migration. There's a method using agentless but haven't tried. Once the migration begins, it will sync it's data to the destination.

Then after completion, you'll have to manually do a switch over. Meaning the source VM will be disconnected from production wile the copied sync vm data at the destination will takeover the role. Bare in remind you'll need to plan a downtime for the switchover

Hi AimanHakim, thanks for your input!
All VMs except for a domain controller are all Linux machines, I think I will try with the ISO (are you referring to the SCMT iso, correct?) and keep you updated

The steps to export Hyper-V VM:
In Hyper-V Manager, right-click the VM on the source host > select Export > specify the destination to store the VM export > click Export

Steps to Import Hyper-V VM:
In Hyper-V Manager, right-click the destination host > select Import VM > follow the wizard to import the VM with the VM extract

importing and exporting a Vm is pretty easy.
just try with right click and select export the VM with destination folder.
importing the VM is while creating a new VM once can choose there.

To migrate Hyper-V VMs to Sangfor HCI without shutting down the guest and host system, you can use a tool like Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC) to convert the VMs into compatible formats like VMDK or OVF, which can then be imported into Sangfor HCI.

You may try below options

1. To export VMs from Hyper-V Manager
   - Open Hyper-V Manager on your Hyper-V server and locate the VM you want to export
   - right click the VM and select Export
   - select a destination folder to the exported VM files
   - click Export and wait until completion

2. Importing VMs thru Sangfor HCI
   - converting the exported Hyper-V files to OVF using 3rd party tools
   - Sangfor Virtual Machine Archive is Sangfor's native format designed for importing VMs into their HCI infrastructure
   - Sangfor Open Visualization Replica is another Sangfor format for VM import

You may also try other resources below:

Sangfor HCI User Manual: This document explains VM import/export functionalities, including supported formats PDF: https://www.sangfor.com/downloads/sangfor-hci-user-manual.

Sangfor HCI_Import and Export Virtual Machine Guides: This YouTube video provides a visual guide to the import/export process (YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sI3RY66ZMQ)

A Vm may be imported and exported with relative ease.
Just try selecting Export the VM with destination folder with a right-click.

When a new virtual machine is being created, one can import the existing one.

Hi, here are the steps you can follow:

Exporting VMs using Hyper-V Manager
Launch the Hyper-V Manager on your Hyper-V server and find the VM you wish to export.
Right-click on the VM and choose the Export option.
Choose a destination folder for the exported VM files.
Click on Export and wait for the process to complete.

Importing VMs via Sangfor HCI
Convert the exported Hyper-V files to OVF using third-party tools.
Use the Sangfor Virtual Machine Archive, which is Sangfor’s proprietary format for importing VMs into their HCI infrastructure.
Alternatively, you can use the Sangfor Open Visualization Replica, another format provided by Sangfor for VM import.

Hi,

Migrating a Hyper-V virtual machine (VM) to Sangfor HCI involves several steps, which can vary depending on the specific requirements and configurations.

Here's a general process based on the information provided:

1. Prepare the Hyper-V VM: Ensure that the VM is in a stable state with no pending updates or unfinished transactions.
2. Export the VM: Use Hyper-V Manager to export the VM, which will include the virtual hard disk files (VHD/VHDX). Convert the VM: If necessary, convert the VM disk to a format compatible with Sangfor HCI, such as VHD or VHDX
3. Upload the VM Disk to Sangfor HCI: Access the Sangfor HCI web console and upload the VM disk file to the appropriate datastore.
4. Create a New VM in Sangfor HCI: Set up a new VM and attach the uploaded disk file as its primary storage.
5. Configure the VM: Adjust the VM settings to match the original configuration on Hyper-V, including CPU, memory, and network settings.
6. Start the VM: Power on the new VM in Sangfor HCI and verify that it boots correctly.