Cold booting a PC using VMWARE

James - VMware converter is pretty straight forward if the Linux is shutdown.

Specify the source and destination and you are cool.

Why do you want a bootable CD? or am i missing something?

I have a third party box with limited access and the VMware converter wants SSh access to the linux box. I want to boot the machine from a CD and convert the machine to a VM that way.

Does that make sense or is there another way I am missing?
thanks

I get it.. and it is going to be a lil clumsy.

read more about converting Linux here http://communities.vmware.com/thread/212960?tstart=0#1268904 

You can find the ISO in C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware vCenter Converter Standalone its called converter-helper-vm.iso

Is it possible for you to install converter on this linux box?

Hi

You can do this using vConverter Boot CD iso.

But this is only available to users that have a vCenter Enterprise license. If this is your case, just go to
http://downloads.vmware.com/download/download.do?downloadGroup=VC40U1

Use your account to log in, then donwload the "VMware vCenter Converter BootCD"

After this you can use the BootCD to have a Linux Cold Migration. But P2V a Linux can have some issues after the migration.

If you have questions, just ask

Jail

hi, try have a look at this pdf:
http://www.ntpro.nl/Cold%20Cloning%20and%20the%20Converter%20Boot%20CD.pdf

Hi

Sorry lordrt, but that document is more to Windows Servers, not Linux. Is similar, but not the same.

For Windows Servers i have this

https://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/VMWare/A_3639-VMware-vConverter-P2V-for-Windows-Servers.html

Example: Never install VMware Tools in a Linux converting(only after)
Do not migrate the IPs, or network adapter(add after the P2V)
Do not migrate SCSI Controller(need to change after P2V)
Do not choose Partition on Linux P2V

There are some differences between the system to have a good P2V

Hope this can help

Jail

to add-on to BestWay's comment, I think I heard that you have to select vcenter 4.0 or 2.5 to see the ColdClone .iso...the 4.1 vcenter download button didn't show the file as part of it's downloads.

Hi

Yes danm66 you need to go for earlier version and get the VMware-convertercd-4.1.1-206170 from that download. This was te last time I donwload this file, don't know if now is available in 4.1 downloads. But don't forget only in Enterprise licenses.

Jail

Thanks for your input, Bestway that was what I was after and this worked fine!
cheers