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Virtualize Physical Machine Best Practice

Hello and thank you for taking the time out to read my question.
Your time is always valued and expertise much appreciated.

I need need to virtualize a machine. Not sure what the standard practice is and wanted to get some feedback on what works best and what does not.

The machine is a Win7 Pro Box. It has Syamantec System Restore running on it.
Not sure if converting the symantec image or just imaging the pc is better/easier?
What is the best practice?

I should mention that this is for a VM ESXi 4.1 :)

Many thanks in advance....

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

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SOLUTION

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

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Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

Version 5.0 of free software download here
http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/infrastructure_operations_management/vmware_vcenter_converter_standalone/5_0

Version 5.0 documentation
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/convsa_50_guide.pdf

saraf1000

The best is to do a physical to Vmware Infrastructure directly using vmware converter 5 that is a free download. Prefer not using SQL/Exchange kind application live while doing the conversation.

Once the conversation is done; you can simply switch off the physical and power on the virtual machine.
At most you would need to give the network IP if static defined.

Saraf

loshdog

ASKER

Many thx hancocka you are the man as always..