Skip to main content

So we installed a Nutanix three-node cluster at our primary datacenter a couple years back. We had always been a VMWare/ESXi shop, and we needed a new cluster to replace the aging Cisco UCS we had running on ESXi.

We debated when we installed it whether we should go with AHV, or if we should stick with ESXi on the new cluster. We ended up going with ESXi because of familiarity and trust. About three months later, Broadcom bought VMWare and the pricing went all the way through the roof and into outer space.

We just installed a second three-node Nutanix cluster at our secondary datacenter, for primarily DR purposes. It's functionally identical to the original, just one model later, I think. This one is also replacing an aging Cisco UCS running ESXi. This time, we stayed with AHV for reasons that are clear.

Now, we want to migrate the original Nutanix cluster we installed off of ESXi and onto AHV, for a number of reasons. I've been researching options, and the most appealing would be to do an in-place conversion to AHV on the existing cluster. However, the list of prerequisites concerns and even confuses me. Our Nutanix reps mentioned that failing over the ESXi cluster to the new AHV cluster, converting the ESXi cluster to AHV, and then failing back would be an option.

Has anyone done an in-place migration from ESXi to AHV? If so, how did it go? Or, is it not worth the trouble since we have the failover/failback option available?

Be the first to reply!