How Can You Avoid Migration Pitfalls Using Veeam for Cross Platform Moves?

Why Choose Veeam for Smooth, Risk-Free Cross Hypervisor Migrations to VMware?

Moving virtual machines (VMs) from one hypervisor to another is a tough task, especially when changing platforms or retiring old systems. Many teams face this exact challenge—migrating from Openstack KVM to VMware, even when most of the industry is moving in the opposite direction. The roadblock? Migrating customer workloads without easy hypervisor-level access or facing slow, risky manual conversions.

Customers need a path that keeps their VMs safe and limits downtime. Some won’t risk rebuilding from scratch, while many tools don’t support the old platform. Let’s break down a simple, practical way to handle this process using Veeam.

Key Points

• Direct conversions aren’t always an option—most customers can’t be given deep hypervisor access for security and stability.
• Manual disk copying and format conversion is slow and requires extended downtime.
• Traditional replication tools rarely support every source hypervisor.
• Customers need confidence that their data and systems will work after migration, with as little disruption as possible.

Easy Steps for Cross Hypervisor Migration with Veeam:

Step 1: Set Up Veeam Environment

1. Make sure Veeam Backup & Recovery is installed, licensed, and has a backup repository big enough for your needs.
2. Connect Veeam to your new VMware vSphere environment.

Step 2: Deploy Veeam Protection Agents

1. In Veeam, go to Inventory > Physical Infrastructure.
2. Create a Protection Group.
3. Add source VMs—either by IP or DNS name.
4. Choose to install the agent and Change Block Tracking driver.
5. If agent deployment fails, you can manually install it on the VM or update Veeam to a newer version.

Step 3: Create and Run the Backup Job

In the Protection Group, create a backup job for the VM.

Always select ‘Entire Computer‘ to avoid incomplete backups.

Pro tip: Install VMware Tools on the source VM first. This avoids problems running smoothly after migration. If installation blocks you, extract and edit the installer to remove checks, then deploy it.

Step 4: Restore the VM to VMware

1. Go to Home > Backups > Disk.
2. Select the VM, then choose Instant Recovery.
3. Pick the target ESX Host, folder, and resource pool.
4. During Instant Recovery, decide where to save Change Block Tracking data for performance.
5. (Optional) Scan backups for malware before restoring, especially after a ransomware incident.
6. Finish and let the job run. Track the progress using the “Recent Activity” pane in vSphere.

Step 5: Post-Migration Steps

• After migration, the VM’s network card (NIC) remains disconnected by default to prevent conflicts.
• Shut down the old source VM to avoid IP issues.
• Connect the migrated VM’s NIC to the right network segment. Check that everything runs correctly.
• Remove any old hypervisor integration tools now that the move is done.

Why This Approach Works

• Agent-based backups don’t need hypervisor-level integration, so you can migrate VMs when you only have admin access inside the guest OS.
• Veeam supports almost any OS or application, making the solution flexible.
• Instant Recovery gets you back online quicker, cutting downtime compared to slow, manual migrations.
• Customers feel safer because their VM identity and data stay together.

Pros of Using Veeam for Migration

• Lower downtime and risk compared to manual volume copying and conversion.
• Agent-based process works for many operating systems and hypervisors.
• Veeam’s broad compatibility helps with future migration needs.

Steps to Remember

• Always plan for downtime, but minimize it using backup and instant recovery methods.
• Communicate the process to your customers—the fewer surprises the better.
• Document each migration for reference and compliance.

Migrations across hypervisors can feel overwhelming, especially if you lack direct access or need to impress customers with a smooth experience. Simple, clear steps and good tools like Veeam help remove stress, lower downtime, and keep everyone happy—even if it seems like you’re swimming upstream in the cloud world. With strong planning and the right solution, you can turn a complex technical problem into a manageable process.