If you have not tried the VMware converter, you should download the free VMware Converter Starter edition. VMware has really gotten it
right this time. The VMware Converter is well designed and easy to use for both P2V migrations and virtualization platform mobility.
It enables importing Windows based physical servers or virtual machines created in:
• VMware Workstation 5.x and 4.x
• VMware Player 1.x
• ESX 3.x and 2.5.x (when managed by Virtual Center 2.x
• GSX Server 3.x
• VMware Server 1.x
• Virtual Center 2.x
• Microsoft Virtual PC v7 and later
• Microsoft Virtual Servers (any version)
• Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery images (LiveState Recovery)
• Norton Ghost v9 and later images
• Future support for additional disk formats including Acronis and StorageCraft
Virtual Machines converted by VMware Converter can be run on any of the VMware platforms mentioned above. VMware Converter performs
efficient non-disruptive hot P2V migrations or cloning of existing windows servers.
VMware Converter Enterprise comes free with Virtual Center Management Server (as long as you have current support and subscription) and
adds features including cold cloning of servers with a remote boot cd and support for multiple simultaneous physical or VM conversions.
If you have Virtual Center 2.x with a valid support and subscription contract you can download the VMware Converter 3.0 and start using it.
If not, you can download a free copy of the Starter edition. Either way, Converter will be a valuable addition to your virtual
server toolkit.
