User guide

Windows P2V Conversions 79
Conversion Overview
former state of the updated disk sectors. VCD is unaware of running applications on the
source and therefore cannot save associated data for backup. This is where MS VSS
steps in-telling databases, application servers, and so forth to flush uncached data to
disk so that backup can proceed.
Converting with Remote Cold Cloning (RCC)
Cold cloning requires a reboot of the source into vConverter's boot image. During cold
cloning, there is less chance of data corruption mainly because no data files are opened.
There are two ways to complete an RCC conversion with vConverter - automated and
manual.
During an automated RCC conversion, when you select Remote Cold Cloning (RCC) as
the conversion type, vConverter sends a boot loader and its boot image over the network
and loads them on the source system. vConverter uses these to reboot the source at a
time that you designate, and the conversion begins. When the system has booted into the
VistaPE environment, the original boot loader is restored, so next time the system will
boot normally.
When an automated RCC conversion is unavailable for any reason (e.g. replacing boot
loader is not possible), one of two manual methods can be applied. You can create a
boot CD from the ISO boot image and load the source server, or can you download and
install the vConverter PXE service on the vConverter system. You can then boot the
source system to the VistaPE boot image remotely by pressing F12 key during reboot. In
both these cases the source system is displayed under a special tree item in vConverter's
Network Browser, named "Cold Cloning Ready". These systems need to be converted
or scheduled separately from other conversion tasks.
vConverter’s VistaPE Image
The VistaPE boot image is a customized version of Windows PE 2.0 system, based on
Windows Vista core. It contains base OS, with wide set of drivers, and also includes the
following components:
PE Network Configurator utility to change various network settings, such as IP
address, link speed, network computer name etc. PE Network Configurator starts
automatically when Windows PE loads.
Device Installer utility allows dynamically installing of drivers for unrecognized
devices without system reboot. For more information on installing drivers, see
Using the vConverter VistaPE ISO Image in the Appendix. The Driver Installer
utility can be launched from the VistaPE Start menu.