VMware uses the vMotion technology to migrate a running virtual machine from one ESX host to another without downtime. The migration process, known as a hot-migration, migrates running virtual machines with zero downtime, continuous service availability, and complete transaction integrity.

Before using VMware vMotion, you must:

• Ensure that each host that migrates virtual machines to or from the host uses a licensed vMotion application and that the vMotion is enabled.

• Ensure that you have identical vSwitches. Enable vMotion on these vSwitches.

• Ensure that the Port Groups are identical for vMotion.

• Use a dedicated NIC to ensure the best performance.

With vMotion, you can:

• Schedule migration at predetermined times and without the presence of an administrator.

• Perform hardware maintenance without scheduled downtime.

• Migrate virtual machines away from failing or underperforming servers.