When converting a powered-on Linux machine, the helper Virtual Machine fails to boot

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

The helper ISO image must be attached to the destination virtual machine during the conversion of a powered-on Linux machine, otherwise the conversion might fail due to a connection timeout. 'helperBootDelay' controls the wait time for deploying the helper ISO until the destination boots. The default is 30 and the units - seconds. This value might be insufficient when Converter server is deployed far from the destination ESXi (Example: Near the source, or when converting to VMware Cloud).

Environment

VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 6.6

Resolution

To workaround the issue, please follow the steps mentioned below:

1. On the machine where Converter Standalone server runs, locate the converter-worker.xml file in the "\%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\VMware\VMware Converter Standalone" folder.

2. Open the converter-worker.xml file in a text editor and replace the default value for 'helperBootDelay' with the necessary timeout value in seconds.

3. In the Services section of Microsoft Management Console, restart  Converter Standalone Worker service. Alternatively, reboot the system.