Reference Guide

vConverter v4.1 Chapter 1 Introduction 11
Cloning can be block- or file-based. Only data is transferred during these processes;
whitespace is not. File-based cloning of a source occurs on the file system level. The
target is mounted to the source and a full file synchronization occurs—directory structure
from the source and all file content are updated to the target. File-based cloning is ideal
for capturing large source volumes to a target with limited storage capacity. To ensure
consistency during hot cloning, use the file-based method with MS VSS.
Block-based cloning uses an Application Programming Interface (API) from the source
OS that allows you to skip unused sectors. This is the default transfer mode, yielding an
exact binary copy of a source volume. This mode requires that the source and target disks
be the same size. After conversion, you can resize down the target volume.
The IRLT is used during block-based cloning and is removed when the conversion
completes. It gives you full mounting, capture, migration, and restore capability on any
remote system. It allows you to run an application on any Windows 2000 or 2003 system.
You do not need to install any agents to use IRLT, but you must have administrative
credentials on the source. Two run-time drivers on the source are used as well—VCD and
Disk Image Driver (DID).
This is how IRLT works:
1. It connects to the source—to default shares ADMIN$ and IPC$—using
administrative credentials.
2. It creates a new folder within ADMIN$ share and copies necessary tools (vcct.exe
[Vizioncore Capture Tool] and others) to launch.
3. It installs its proxy service on the source using the Win32 Service Manager API.
4. It runs the service that launches the target application, redirects input and output
streams (if necessary), and awaits completion of the launched application.
5. It uninstalls the service and removes all of the files (CT, VCD, and DID) written
to the source.
The target is mounted to the source and a full file synchronization occurs—directory
structure from the source and all file content are updated to the target.
Notes: You can only complete a cold conversion of Windows NT SP6a or Windows
2000 using the file-based method. Although resizing down is a more complex process
than increasing the size of a volume, both options are available in file- and block-based
cloning.
36BConversion Types
When you create a conversion job manually (rather than through the vConverter Wizard)
and define its properties, you must select a conversion type. These conversion types are
available:
• Manual—Select this method if you want to run a conversion job immediately
rather than scheduling it.