[SOLVED] Move proxmox data folders

[LooneyTunes]

Hi,

I'm new here and love ProxMox! I have been using VMware before and as a free offering this is outstanding.

I do have a minor issue though. While installing a while back I chose my NFS NAS as storage and, well, it is being used, but not in the path I intended. So I would like to get your recommendations on how to change the storage paths (VM's, ISO's, templates etc) to another one. Is it safe to do or should I avoid it entirely.

I noticed this while thinking about how to set up a good backup, which will be my next question.

Thanks!

 

[Vladimir Bulgaru]

Hey!

Did you add the NAS via the GUI? As far as i understand, it should be pretty straightforward:

1. shutdown all the VMs and containers
2. remove the storage
3. add it back with a different path

Am i missing something?

 

[LooneyTunes]

I am pretty sure I did add it through the GUI, yes. But what happens to the data on the NAS? That is what I need to rearrange. I'll try to explain

I have an exported NFS folder "VMStorage", in which I intended for the ProxMox files to go. I missed that, so the data got created alongside this folder. By removing the storage from ProxMox GUI, I will just remove the mapping of it. Question is if I can move the folders to the new location, and then remount that in ProxMox? Should I do some kind of export of the machines prior moving them?

 

[Vladimir Bulgaru]

I'd say that you need to move them within NAS first, export the correct folder via NFS.
Afterwards simply add the NAS with the exported path. Again:

1. Move files from parent location inside the correct folder on NAS
2. Edit the export settings on NAS, so that the folder location is exported instead of the parent one
3. Add the NAS in Proxmox. All files should remain there.

 

[LooneyTunes]

Scary, but I'll give it a go Btw, how do I mark a topic solved?

 

[LooneyTunes]

Scary, but I'll give it a go Btw, how do I mark a topic solved?

ok. Here's what I've done;
- stopped machines
- removed mapping in proxmox gui
- moved the files on nas
- corrected the export
- remapped in proxmox gui

And status is that storage sees the files alright, but they refuse to start and complain on the old path is non existent. Can this be corrected or should I try to reset to how it was?

Thanks for helping me!

 

[Vladimir Bulgaru]

I'd make sure that in hardware tab of the VMs the disk is set with the correct path.

 

[LooneyTunes]

I'd make sure that in hardware tab of the VMs the disk is set with the correct path.

Yes, I figured. I couldn't change path so guess I need to remove and add it with the new one. Will try in a minute, when the backup of the file is done.

 

[LooneyTunes]

Yes, I figured. I couldn't change path so guess I need to remove and add it with the new one. Will try in a minute, when the backup of the file is done.

This was not the best way of doing it. It won't let me edit or select an existing disk file, it just created a new one. But started at least! Question is if the definition somehow can be edited to use the old disk...

 

[LooneyTunes]

This was not the best way of doing it. It won't let me edit or select an existing disk file, it just created a new one. But started at least! Question is if the definition somehow can be edited to use the old disk...

Found a solution in another thread: Create a new VM and overwrite the new disk file with the old. Worked like a charm.

 

[Vladimir Bulgaru]

Congrats! Glad everything's up and running!

Can you link that thread here for the posterity?

 

[LooneyTunes]

Sure! Here is what finally fixed my problem; https://forum.proxmox.com/threads/how-to-build-a-vm-with-a-existing-image.17390/

Thank you for help and guidance!