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15.6. Migrating with virt-manager

This section covers migrating a KVM guest virtual machine with virt-manager from one host physical machine to another.

  1. Connect to the target host physical machine

    In the virt-manager interface, connect to the target host physical machine by selecting the File menu, then click Add Connection.

  2. Add connection

    The Add Connection window appears.
    Adding a connection to the target host physical machine
    View larger image
    Adding a connection to the target host physical machine

    Figure 15.1. Adding a connection to the target host physical machine

    Enter the following details:
    • Hypervisor: Select QEMU/KVM.
    • Method: Select the connection method.
    • Username: Enter the user name for the remote host physical machine.
    • Hostname: Enter the host name for the remote host physical machine.

    Note

    For more information on the connection options, see Section 19.5, “Adding a Remote Connection”.
    Click Connect. An SSH connection is used in this example, so the specified user's password must be entered in the next step.
    Enter password
    View larger image
    Enter password

    Figure 15.2. Enter password

  3. Configure shared storage

    Ensure that both the source and the target host are sharing storage, for example using NFS.

  4. Migrate guest virtual machines

    Right-click the guest that is to be migrated, and click Migrate.
    In the New Host field, use the drop-down list to select the host physical machine you wish to migrate the guest virtual machine to and click Migrate.
    Choosing the destination host physical machine and starting the migration process
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    Choosing the destination host physical machine and starting the migration process

    Figure 15.3. Choosing the destination host physical machine and starting the migration process

    A progress window appears.
    Progress window
    View larger image
    Progress window

    Figure 15.4. Progress window

    If the migration finishes without any problems, virt-manager displays the newly migrated guest virtual machine running in the destination host.
    Migrated guest virtual machine running in the destination host physical machine
    View larger image
    Migrated guest virtual machine running in the destination host physical machine

    Figure 15.5. Migrated guest virtual machine running in the destination host physical machine

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