Hey everyone! I'm exploring how to migrate my VMware setup with 6 hosts to Hyper-V. I've also got 3 SANs involved. The reason for this shift is that my VMware renewal cost is quite high, and switching to Hyper-V could save me about 20-30%. Since I have datacenter licensing, Hyper-V wouldn't add extra costs for me.
However, I've faced challenges getting quotes for this migration service. I've reached out to multiple managed service providers over the past year, and while they initially seemed interested, none have followed through with a quote. Has anyone experienced something similar? I thought with the demand for migration jobs, they'd be eager to jump on this.
I could attempt the migration myself, but I'm feeling a bit uneasy about it, as I'm not entirely clear on the setup of Hyper-V. From what I understand, it should fulfill my needs similar to VMware. Do I just install the Windows OS on each host and then run the VMs from there, or does Hyper-V operate differently with its own hypervisor managing environment? Is there a management appliance in Hyper-V akin to VMware's VCSA? Also, if I install Hyper-V 2025, will it receive updates until it reaches end of support or end of life in 2025?
I'm also looking for a reliable guide on setting up multiple hosts with SAN integration. I've watched several, but they all seem to vary a bit. Any ex-VMware users out there who felt the same way and found resources that really helped?
4 Answers
I understand your frustration with the MSPs going quiet. Since you have 3 SANs, possibly set up in a complex manner, you might need to provide a detailed overview of your environment, including specifics like storage IOPS and any unique configurations. This can help MSPs give you a more accurate quote.
Have you considered Azure Local as an alternative? It’s managed through Azure's cloud platform but keeps the datacenter within your premises. If your internet goes down, you can still revert to using the local tools you’re familiar with, like Hyper-V Manager.
What backup solution are you currently using? Some backups can be restored directly to Hyper-V, making the migration smoother. This could simplify your transition significantly!
Building a test Hyper-V environment can really help clarify your concerns. This way, you can explore its capabilities firsthand and see if it meets all your needs for virtualization. Most basic functionalities should align closely with what you're accustomed to in VMware.
I'm using Veeam, which I think should make the data transfer easier. My main concern is more about the architecture rather than the actual moving of data.