Although I've used VMware products for years (Workstation, Server), I'm still pretty new to ESXi. I started using the free ESXi with the idea of being able to do live migration between ESXi hosts. However, I then discovered that you can't do vMotion with the free stuff. No biggie; I probably don't need it anyway. All I really need is the ability to move VMs between ESXi hosts. I would settle for cold migration. However, after reading the section on Migration in the Basic Admin manual, it seems I need to use Virtual Center to be able to do this. Am I right? And I take it, Virtual Center isn't a free download either.
But do I really need Virtual Center to be able to move VMs between ESXi hosts? It seems to me I could just use the VI client to do a "pseudo cold migration". Is there anything wrong with the following scenario:
1.All VM files are kept on a central NFS server.
2. I shut down the VM on HostA.
3. I add the VM to the Inventory of HostB.
4. I remove the VM from the Inventory of HostA.
5. I power the VM up on HostB.
Sure, it's not automatic and not idiot-proof, but it's free so I ain't complaining.
Thanks in advance for any information/advice you all can give me.