Importing Power and x86 VMs using IBM Cloud Object Storage

This guide describes how to import x86 The most common CPU architecture. x86 CPUs support Windows and Linux VMs in Skytap. and Power A CPU architecture that supports IBM i, AIX, and Linux (on Power) in Skytap. VMs from IBM Cloud Object Storage using the import tool built into your Skytap account at https://cloud.skytap.com/imports.

Contents

Process overview

To import VMs into Skytap
  1. Export your LPARs to OVA files for import into Skytap.
  2. Upload or use the IBM Cloud Mass Data Migration service to move the OVA files to your IBM Cloud Object Storage bucket.
  3. Use the VM Imports tab in Skytap to create an import job.
  4. Start the import process. Skytap processes the VMs and creates virtual environments in your Skytap account.

Your customer account can have a maximum, combined total of five import and export jobs running simultaneously.

Step 1: Prepare the VMs for import

Before you begin, read Preparing Power LPARs for import into Skytap to create OVF or OVA files from your LPARs for import into Skytap.

Step 2: Stage the OVA files to your IBM Cloud Object Storage storage bucket

Either upload or use the IBM Cloud Mass Data Migration service to move the OVA files to your IBM Cloud Object Storage bucket.

Step 3: Create Import job

Create an import job for each OVA file that you want to import.

To create an import job
  1. From the Navigation bar in Skytap, click Environments.

  2. Click the VM Imports tab. vm imports tab

    The VM Imports tab notifies you if you don’t have permission to import VMs. If needed, work with your account administrator to gain access.

  3. Click Create VM Import Job (Create VM Import Job).

  4. Provide details about the import, including:

    • The Environment name (maximum 255 characters).
    • The Data source for the VMs. Choose IBM Cloud Object Storage.
    • The Destination region where the environment will be added.
    • The IBM region that contains your IBM Cloud Object Storage bucket.
    • The Bucket instance CRN The Cloud Resource Name (CRN) uniquely identifies a resource (in this case the bucket instance) in the IBM Cloud. .

    • An authentication method (choose either HMAC Hash-based Message Authentication Code – A short series of characters used for secure authentication. or API key) and provide credentials for IBM authentication options:

      HMAC

      • Access key
      • Secret access key

      or

      API key

    • Optional: An MD5 Hash Value. For more information, see Creating MD5 hash values for VM imports.

      VM Import Job Details

  5. Click Save Import Job.

Step 4: Start the import process

Click Create environment on the Skytap Import page. Skytap imports the VM file and create your new environment.

Skytap notifies you via email when the import completes. If the import is successful, Skytap provides a link to the new environment; if the import fails, Skytap provides an error message (see Resolving import errors).

Additional information about the import process

import progress

Skytap creates a new environment from your VMs in three stages:

  • Analyzing – Skytap checks the SFTP upload folder for VM files, confirms the file type, and compares MD5 hash values (if applicable).
  • Importing – Skytap imports the VMs.
  • Finalizing – Skytap creates the virtual environment and any associated virtual networking. Whenever possible, Skytap retains the original networking information for VMs. If the original networking can’t be found or retained, Skytap creates one or more automatic networks for the new environment.

Optional steps once the import is complete

Notes

  • Imports can take between 30 minutes to several hours to complete.
  • If you're importing VMs on hardware version 6, 7, 8, or 9 into any region other than US-West, Skytap automatically upgrades the VM to hardware version 11 during the import process. For more information about hardware versions, see Checking VM hardware version
    • .

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