⁠8.7. Importing Existing Storage Domains

8.7.1. Overview of Importing Existing Storage Domains
8.7.2. Importing a Storage Domain
8.7.3. Importing Virtual Machines from an Imported Data Storage Domain
8.7.4. Importing Templates from Imported Data Storage Domains

⁠8.7.1. Overview of Importing Existing Storage Domains

In addition to adding new storage domains that contain no data, you can also import existing storage domains and access the data they contain. The ability to import storage domains allows you to recover data in the event of a failure in the engine database, and to migrate data from one data center or environment to another.
The following is an overview of importing each storage domain type:
Data
Importing an existing data storage domain allows you to access all of the virtual machines and templates that the data storage domain contains. After you import the storage domain, you must manually import each virtual machine and template into the destination data center. The process for importing the virtual machines and templates that a data storage domain contains is similar to that for an export storage domain. However, because data storage domains contain all the virtual machines and templates in a given data center, importing data storage domains is recommended for data recovery or large-scale migration of virtual machines between data centers or environments.

Important

You can only import existing data storage domains that were attached to data centers with a compatibility level of 3.5 or higher.
ISO
Importing an existing ISO storage domain allows you to access all of the ISO files and virtual diskettes that the ISO storage domain contains. No additional action is required after importing the storage domain to access these resources; you can attach them to virtual machines as required.
Export
Importing an existing export storage domain allows you to access all of the virtual machine images and templates that the export storage domain contains. Because export domains are designed for exporting and importing virtual machine images and templates, importing export storage domains is recommended method of migrating small numbers of virtual machines and templates inside an environment or between environments. For information on exporting and importing virtual machines and templates to and from export storage domains, see Section 10.14, “Exporting and Importing Virtual Machines and Templates”.

⁠8.7.2. Importing a Storage Domain

Summary
Import a storage domain that was previously attached to a data center in the same environment or in a different environment. This procedure assumes the storage domain is not attached to a data center in any environment. Moreover, to import and attach an existing data storage domain to a data center, the target data center must be initialized, and must have a compatibility level of 3.5 or higher.
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Procedure 8.10. Importing a Storage Domain

  1. Click the Storage resource tab.
  2. Click Import Domain.
    ⁠
    The Import Pre-Configured Domain window

    Figure 8.7. The Import Pre-Configured Domain window

  3. Select the data center to which to attach the storage domain from the Data Center list.
  4. Optionally, select the Activate Domain in Data Center check box to activate the storage domain after attaching it to the selected data center.
  5. Select the function and type of the domain from the Domain Function / Storage Type list.
  6. Select the SPM host from the Use host list.

    Important

    All communication to the storage domain is through the selected host and not directly from the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Manager. At least one active host must exist in the system and be attached to the chosen data center. All hosts must have access to the storage device before the storage domain can be configured.
  7. Enter the details of the storage domain.

    Note

    The fields for specifying the details of the storage domain change in accordance with the value you select in the Domain Function / Storage Type list. These options are the same as those available for adding a new storage domain. For more information on these options, see Section 8.1, “Understanding Storage Domains”.
  8. Click OK.
Result
The storage domain is imported, and is displayed in the Storage tab.

⁠8.7.3. Importing Virtual Machines from an Imported Data Storage Domain

Summary
Import a virtual machine from a data storage domain you have imported into your Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization environment. This procedure assumes that the imported data storage domain has been attached to a data center and has been activated.
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Procedure 8.11. Importing Virtual Machines from an Imported Data Storage Domain

  1. Click the Storage resource tab.
  2. Click the imported data storage domain.
  3. Click the VM Import tab in the details pane.
  4. Select one or more virtual machines to import.
  5. Click Import.
  6. Select the cluster into which the virtual machines are imported from the Cluster list.
  7. Click OK.
Result
You have imported one or more virtual machines into your environment. The imported virtual machines no longer appear in the list under the VM Import tab.

⁠8.7.4. Importing Templates from Imported Data Storage Domains

Summary
Import a template from a data storage domain you have imported into your Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization environment. This procedure assumes that the imported data storage domain has been attached to a data center and has been activated.
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Procedure 8.12. Importing Templates from an Imported Data Storage Domain

  1. Click the Storage resource tab.
  2. Click the imported data storage domain.
  3. Click the Template Import tab in the details pane.
  4. Select one or more templates to import.
  5. Click Import.
  6. Select the cluster into which the templates are imported from the Cluster list.
  7. Click OK.
Result
You have imported one or more templates into your environment. The imported templates no longer appear in the list under the Template Import tab.