Move vApps across Provider Virtual Data Center while they are running

Products

• VMware Cloud Director

Issue/Introduction

• Need to move vapps to a new Provider Virtual Data Center (PVDC) without downtime.
• Migration of VMs from one cluster to another cluster is required.
• How to move live vapps across org vdcs

Environment

VMware Cloud Director 10.6.1

Resolution

vApps can be moved using the API method POST /VDC/{id}/action/moveVApp

moveVApp is an API only feature. Note: This is not the same feature as the 'Move' button on vApps in the Cloud Director UI.

It has the following characteristics:

• vMotion (e.g. live, share nothing and cross vCenter) is used.
• The vApp can be moved across Org VDCs/Provider VDCs/clusters, vCenters of the same tenant.
• The API will not work across associated Orgs.
• The UUID identifier of the vApp and VM is retained.
• A vApp can be in running state.
• VMs can be connected to Named (independent) disks.
• Fast provisioning (linked clones) is supported.
• The API does not allow for moving vApps across clusters/resource pools in the same Org VDC. For this use-case refer to Migrate VMs Between Resource Pools on a VMware Cloud Director Provider Virtual Data Center.

Additional Information

How to establish an API connection (VMware Cloud Director)