|
| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +title: "Move2Cloud - Migrating VMware Workloads to OVHcloud Hosted Private Cloud with Veeam Replication" |
| 3 | +excerpt: "Learn how to migrate your on-prem VMware workloads to an OVHcloud Hosted Private Cloud environment using Veeam Replication" |
| 4 | +updated: 2025-04-25 |
| 5 | +--- |
| 6 | + |
| 7 | +## Objective |
| 8 | + |
| 9 | +This guide explains how to migrate your on-premises VMware workloads to an **OVHcloud Hosted Private Cloud (HPC)** using Veeam Replication. |
| 10 | + |
| 11 | +> [!primary] |
| 12 | +> **This guide applies to Hosted Private Cloud environments that are NOT part of SecNumCloud (SNC), PCI-DSS, or HDS-qualified environments.** |
| 13 | +> If you are using an SNC, PCI-DSS, or HDS-qualified Hosted Private Cloud, some features described here, such as OVHcloud IAM, may not be available. |
| 14 | +> For SecNumCloud environments, please refer to the dedicated guide: [Move2Cloud - Migrating VMware Workloads to SecNumCloud Hosted Private Cloud with Veeam Replication](/pages/hosted_private_cloud/hosted_private_cloud_powered_by_vmware/vmware_migration_veeam_secnumcloud) |
| 15 | +
|
| 16 | +## Requirements |
| 17 | + |
| 18 | +Before getting started, you will need: |
| 19 | + |
| 20 | +- A complete list of VMs with FQDNs, IP addresses, and dependencies. |
| 21 | +- Correctly sized target resources (e.g., hosts, datastores, vSAN clusters). |
| 22 | +- A valid **Veeam Backup & Replication** solution from the [Veeam website](https://www.veeam.com/downloads.html?ad=top-sub-menu). |
| 23 | +- Access to vCenter and pre-configured DNS, NTP, and authentication services in HPC. |
| 24 | + |
| 25 | +{.thumbnail} |
| 26 | + |
| 27 | +## Instructions |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +### Step 1: Design your migration plan |
| 30 | + |
| 31 | +At the end of Step 1, you should have a clear understanding of which workloads you are migrating, their dependencies, and the target network and storage configuration in OVHcloud. |
| 32 | + |
| 33 | +#### Step 1.1: Create an inventory of VMs |
| 34 | + |
| 35 | +Start by listing all the VMs you plan to migrate. |
| 36 | + |
| 37 | +For each VM, include the following information: |
| 38 | + |
| 39 | +- **FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name)** and **IP address**. |
| 40 | +- **Operating System version** (ensure it’s up-to-date and supported). |
| 41 | +- **Dependencies** (e.g. applications relying on specific servers). |
| 42 | + |
| 43 | +#### Step 1.2: Group VMs into migration batches |
| 44 | + |
| 45 | +Organize your VMs into logical groups based on their application dependencies. |
| 46 | + |
| 47 | +For instance: |
| 48 | + |
| 49 | +- A **web server**, an **application server**, and a **database server** that work together should be grouped in the same batch. |
| 50 | + |
| 51 | +Migrating these batches ensures that applications remain functional during the transition. |
| 52 | + |
| 53 | +#### Step 1.3: Document network and subnet details |
| 54 | + |
| 55 | +Record the current network configuration of your on-premises environment, including: |
| 56 | + |
| 57 | +- **Subnets** and **VLAN IDs**. |
| 58 | +- The number of VLANs needed for the target Hosted Private Cloud. |
| 59 | + |
| 60 | +With [OVHcloud vRack](/links/network/vrack), you can create up to 4,000 VLANs, which allows you to replicate your current IP address plan without any re-IP. |
| 61 | + |
| 62 | +### Step 2: Plan target resources |
| 63 | + |
| 64 | +At the end of this step, you will have a clear understanding of the resources required in your **Hosted Private Cloud (HPC)** environment to match your workloads. |
| 65 | + |
| 66 | +#### Step 2.1: Calculate compute requirements |
| 67 | + |
| 68 | +Evaluate your needs for CPU and memory by calculating the total number of cores and amount of RAM required for your VMs. |
| 69 | + |
| 70 | +Use your current consolidation ratio (e.g. pCPU/vCPU) as a reference to determine the number and type of ESXi hosts needed. |
| 71 | + |
| 72 | +#### Step 2.2: Define storage needs |
| 73 | + |
| 74 | +Decide which workloads require **NFS datastores** or **vSAN storage** based on their IOPS requirements. For applications with high performance demands, vSAN is typically the better option. |
| 75 | + |
| 76 | +#### Step 2.3: Plan the network |
| 77 | + |
| 78 | +If using NSX-T, define your network segmentation strategy. Determine how you will apply VLAN-based or overlay segments and evaluate north/south traffic. |
| 79 | + |
| 80 | +Decide whether to retain your current firewall solution or deploy virtual firewalls (e.g. FortiVM, Stormshield, or Palo Alto VM-Series). |
| 81 | + |
| 82 | +For internet-exposed services, allocate additional public IPs or use the [Bring Your Own IP (BYOIP)](/links/network/byoip) feature to retain your existing IP addresses. |
| 83 | + |
| 84 | +### Step 3: Authorize IP access to vCenter |
| 85 | + |
| 86 | +To enable remote access to the vCenter in your HPC, you must whitelist the IP addresses that need access. |
| 87 | + |
| 88 | +1. Log in to the [OVHcloud Control Panel](/links/manager). |
| 89 | +2. Navigate to the `Hosted Private Cloud`{.action} section and open the Secure SSL Gateway. |
| 90 | +3. Add the IP addresses that should have access to vCenter. |
| 91 | + |
| 92 | +You can find detailed instructions in our [IP whitelisting guide](/pages/hosted_private_cloud/hosted_private_cloud_powered_by_vmware/autoriser_des_ip_a_se_connecter_au_vcenter). |
| 93 | + |
| 94 | +### Step 4: Configure roles and permissions |
| 95 | + |
| 96 | +#### Step 4.1: Use OVHcloud IAM |
| 97 | + |
| 98 | +Set up roles and permissions in your `Hosted Private Cloud`{.action} using `OVHcloud IAM`. |
| 99 | + |
| 100 | +> [!warning] |
| 101 | +> **OVHcloud IAM is not available in SecNumCloud (SNC), PCI-DSS, or HDS environments.** |
| 102 | +> If you are using one of these qualified environments, you must configure roles and permissions directly in vSphere or use an external IAM solution such as Microsoft Active Directory or Okta. |
| 103 | +
|
| 104 | +For instructions, refer to the [IAM setup guide](/pages/hosted_private_cloud/hosted_private_cloud_powered_by_vmware/vmware_iam_getting_started). |
| 105 | + |
| 106 | +#### Step 4.2: Integrate with existing IAM solutions |
| 107 | + |
| 108 | +If you already use an identity management system such as Active Directory or Okta, you can deploy these services within your HPC. |
| 109 | + |
| 110 | +#### Step 4.3: Enable single sign-on |
| 111 | + |
| 112 | +To simplify access, you can configure Single Sign-On (SSO) by linking `OVHcloud IAM` with your ADFS (Active Directory Federation Services). |
| 113 | + |
| 114 | +Follow the steps in [this guide](/pages/account_and_service_management/account_information/ovhcloud-account-connect-saml-adfs). |
| 115 | + |
| 116 | +### Step 5: Build your target network |
| 117 | + |
| 118 | +#### Step 5.1: Define the flow matrix |
| 119 | + |
| 120 | +Plan your network traffic by creating a flow matrix. Identify which VLANs are routed and which VMs should exchange traffic, specifying allowed ports and protocols. |
| 121 | + |
| 122 | +#### Step 5.2: Configure NSX-T |
| 123 | + |
| 124 | +Use NSX-T to configure Tier-1 and Tier-0 gateways, distribute traffic, and segregate workloads. VMware tenants come with preconfigured **distributed vSwitches (dVS)** and VLANs, which you can adjust to match your environment. |
| 125 | + |
| 126 | +Refer to the [NSX first steps guide](/pages/hosted_private_cloud/hosted_private_cloud_powered_by_vmware/nsx-01-first-steps) for more details. |
| 127 | + |
| 128 | +### Step 6: Deploy core services |
| 129 | + |
| 130 | +Your Hosted Private Cloud requires basic infrastructure services for your migrated workloads: |
| 131 | + |
| 132 | +- **NTP:** Configure `ntp.ovh.net` for time synchronization. |
| 133 | +- **DNS:** Deploy DNS services, such as an Active Directory Domain Controller, to resolve domain names. |
| 134 | +- **Authentication:** Set up authentication services locally in HPC to minimize cross-environment traffic. |
| 135 | + |
| 136 | +### Step 7: Install the Veeam Backup & Replication server |
| 137 | + |
| 138 | +Install the **Veeam Backup & Replication (B&R)** server in your OVHcloud HPC environment. This server will handle the replication process. |
| 139 | + |
| 140 | +Activate its license using the [setup guide](/pages/storage_and_backup/backup_and_disaster_recovery_solutions/veeam/veeam_veeam_backup_replication). |
| 141 | + |
| 142 | +### Step 8: Set up secure connectivity |
| 143 | + |
| 144 | +#### Step 8.1: Configure a VPN tunnel |
| 145 | + |
| 146 | +Set up an IPsec tunnel between your on-prem infrastructure and OVHcloud using NSX, Stormshield, or OpnSense: |
| 147 | + |
| 148 | +- [NSX VPN setup](/pages/hosted_private_cloud/hosted_private_cloud_powered_by_vmware/nsx-12-configure-ipsec) |
| 149 | +- [Stormshield VPN setup](https://documentation.stormshield.eu/SNS/v4/en/Content/User_Configuration_Manual_SNS_v4/IPSec_VPN/IPSEC_VPN.htm) |
| 150 | +- [OpnSense VPN setup](https://docs.opnsense.org/manual/how-tos/ipsec-s2s.html) |
| 151 | + |
| 152 | +#### Step 8.2: Use OVHcloud Connect (Optional) |
| 153 | + |
| 154 | +For higher bandwidth and lower latency, you can subscribe to [OVHcloud Connect](/links/network/ovhcloud-connect), which provides an MPLS-like link between your on-prem infrastructure and your OVHcloud tenant. |
| 155 | + |
| 156 | +With [OVHcloud Connect](/links/network/ovhcloud-connect), latency is controlled, and you can choose the bandwidth you need, from 200 Mbps up to several Gbps. |
| 157 | + |
| 158 | +### Step 9: Deploy the Veeam proxy server |
| 159 | + |
| 160 | +A Veeam proxy server must be deployed in your on-prem infrastructure to manage data transfer. |
| 161 | + |
| 162 | +1. Add the proxy server in the Veeam Console under **Backup Infrastructure**. |
| 163 | +2. Configure transport modes and resource allocation. |
| 164 | + |
| 165 | +Follow the [proxy setup guide](https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/add_vmware_proxy.html?ver=120) for a detailed walkthrough. |
| 166 | + |
| 167 | +### Step 10: Create replication jobs |
| 168 | + |
| 169 | +In **Veeam Backup & Replication**, create a replication job to migrate your VMs. |
| 170 | + |
| 171 | +1. Open the `Replication Jobs`{.action} section in the Veeam Console. |
| 172 | +2. Add the `source VMs`{.action} and configure the target HPC environment. |
| 173 | +3. Set additional options like compression or application-aware processing. |
| 174 | + |
| 175 | +Detailed steps are available in the [replication job setup guide](https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/replica_job.html?ver=120). |
| 176 | + |
| 177 | +### Step 11: Start and test replication |
| 178 | + |
| 179 | +Run your replication jobs and test their functionality using Veeam’s `Failover Now`{.action} feature. Revert to the original state using `Undo Failover`{.action}. |
| 180 | + |
| 181 | +Refer to the [Failover process](https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/failover.html?ver=120) and [Undo Failover process](https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/undo_failover.html?ver=120). |
| 182 | + |
| 183 | +### Step 12: Finalize migration |
| 184 | + |
| 185 | +Perform a `Planned Failover`{.action} on migration day to synchronize final changes, power off the source VMs, and activate the replicas in HPC. |
| 186 | + |
| 187 | +See the [Planned Failover guide](https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/planned_failover.html?ver=120). |
| 188 | + |
| 189 | +### Step 13: Validate applications |
| 190 | + |
| 191 | +Ensure all VMs boot successfully and test critical services like AD, DNS, and databases to confirm full functionality. |
| 192 | + |
| 193 | +### Step 14: Confirm permanent failover |
| 194 | + |
| 195 | +Use the `Permanent Failover`{.action} option in Veeam to finalize your migration. This will make the replicas in HPC the primary production VMs. |
| 196 | + |
| 197 | +Refer to the [Permanent Failover guide](https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/permanent_failover.html?ver=120). |
| 198 | + |
| 199 | +### Step 15: Optimize and secure |
| 200 | + |
| 201 | +Move VMs to target storage using [Storage vMotion](/pages/hosted_private_cloud/hosted_private_cloud_powered_by_vmware/vmware_storage_vmotion) and configure backup jobs in [OVHcloud Object Storage](/links/public-cloud/object-storage) to protect your workloads. |
| 202 | + |
| 203 | +### Step 16: Move VMs to target storage |
| 204 | + |
| 205 | +Once your VMs have been migrated to the OVHcloud HPC, you may need to optimize their location within the environment based on performance requirements. |
| 206 | + |
| 207 | +This involves moving VMs and their virtual disk files (VMDKs) to the appropriate storage. |
| 208 | + |
| 209 | +1. **Assess Performance Requirements:** |
| 210 | + - Identify which VMs require high-performance storage (e.g. vSAN for intensive workloads). |
| 211 | + - Use NFS datastores for less demanding applications. |
| 212 | +2. **Use Storage vMotion:** |
| 213 | + - Open the `vSphere Client`{.action} and navigate to the VM you wish to move. |
| 214 | + - Right-click the VM and select `Migrate`{.action}. |
| 215 | + - Choose the `Change storage only`{.action} option and select the target datastore (vSAN or NFS). |
| 216 | + - Review and confirm the migration settings, then start the migration process. |
| 217 | + |
| 218 | +This step ensures your VMs are stored on the appropriate infrastructure to meet their performance needs. |
| 219 | + |
| 220 | +For more information, refer to the [Storage vMotion guide](/pages/hosted_private_cloud/hosted_private_cloud_powered_by_vmware/vmware_storage_vmotion). |
| 221 | + |
| 222 | +### Step 17: Create backup jobs to secure your workloads |
| 223 | + |
| 224 | +Now that your VMs are running in the OVHcloud Hosted Private Cloud, it’s essential to establish a backup strategy to protect your data. |
| 225 | + |
| 226 | +**Veeam Backup & Replication** provides flexible options for securing your workloads. |
| 227 | + |
| 228 | +1. **Define Backup Storage:** |
| 229 | + - Use OVHcloud **[S3*-compatible Object Storage](/links/public-cloud/object-storage)** as a backup repository for scalability and cost efficiency. |
| 230 | +2. **Create a Backup Job in Veeam:** |
| 231 | + - Open the **Veeam Console** and navigate to the `Home`{.action} tab. |
| 232 | + - Click `Backup Job`{.action} > `Virtual Machine`{.action} and follow the wizard: |
| 233 | + - Select the VMs to back up. |
| 234 | + - Choose the backup repository (e.g. OVHcloud Object Storage). |
| 235 | + - Configure retention policies, compression, and encryption settings. |
| 236 | +3. **Run and Test the Backup Job:** |
| 237 | + - Start the backup job and monitor its progress. |
| 238 | + - Perform a test restore to ensure the backups are reliable and can be used in a recovery scenario. |
| 239 | + |
| 240 | +Setting up regular backups guarantees that your workloads are protected against data loss or corruption. For detailed instructions, refer to the [Veeam S3 backup guide](/pages/storage_and_backup/object_storage/s3_veeam). |
| 241 | + |
| 242 | +*: S3 is a trademark of Amazon Technologies, Inc. OVHcloud’s service is not sponsored by, endorsed by, or otherwise affiliated with Amazon Technologies, Inc. |
| 243 | + |
| 244 | +## Go Further |
| 245 | + |
| 246 | +You can explore these additional resources to enhance your backup, replication, and disaster recovery strategy with OVHcloud: |
| 247 | + |
| 248 | +- [Veeam Managed Backup](/links/hosted-private-cloud/veeam-managed-backup): A fully managed backup solution by OVHcloud. |
| 249 | +- [Zerto for VMware on OVHcloud](/links/hosted-private-cloud/vmware-zerto): Disaster recovery and replication across regions. |
| 250 | + |
| 251 | +If you need training or technical assistance to implement our solutions, contact your sales representative or click on [this link](/links/professional-services) to get a quote and ask our Professional Services experts for a custom analysis of your project. |
| 252 | + |
| 253 | +Ask questions, give your feedback and interact directly with the team building our Hosted Private Cloud services on the dedicated [Discord](https://discord.gg/ovhcloud) channel. |
| 254 | + |
| 255 | +Join our [community of users](/links/community). |
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