Configure VMotion for VMWare ESX

1. To enable VMotion you must add a VMkernel Port to each host you wish to be VMotion enabled. This can be done as follows...

2. Open VMware Infrastructure Client, and log into the virtual center server.

3. Do the following for each host that you want to be VMotion enabled, it must be at least 2 for Vmotion to make any sense.

4. Select the host from the inventory on the left.

5. Select the 'Configuration' tab.

6. Select the 'Networking' link inside the 'Hardware' box.

7. This should display the network diagram, including the physical adapters (NICs), switches (grey boxes) and the list of Port groups on the left.

8. When using VMotion it is a good idea to have at least 2 physical adapters available, so that the network does not get backed up during migrations. See [[Adding additional Network Adapters to a VMware Host]].

9. Select the 'Properties...' link above the list of 'Physical Adapters'

10. On the 'Ports' tab click the 'Add...' button.

11. In the 'Add Network Wizard' select the 'VMkernel' connection type and click next

12. Input the Network Label (name) for the new port, probably "VMotion"

***'''Note: The port must have the same name in all the hosts for VMotion to work. The name is case sensitive. For example, if you enter "VMotion" here for one host, and "Vmotion" for another, VMotion will not work between them. '''

13. Don't worry about the VLAN ID

14. Check the 'Use this port group for VMotion' checkbox.

15. Enter a unique IP address and subnet mask (255.255.255.0).

16. Make sure the IP address keeps the VMotion port for each host on the same network.

17. Click next

18. You should see a diagram of the network your new VMotion port added

19. Click finish

20.
21. Repeat for each host you want to be VMotion enabled.
*VMotion should now be enabled, you can test it by migrating a powered on VM from one host to another, it should be able to migrate without shutting down, and with little effect on the VM
The End.