6.0

n
Export virtual machines managed by vCenter Server hosts to other VMware virtual machine formats.
n
Configure virtual machines managed by vCenter Server so that they are bootable, and install VMware
Tools or customize their guest operating systems.
n
Customize guest operating systems of virtual machines in the vCenter Server inventory (for example,
change the host name or network settings).
n
Reduce the time needed to set up new virtual machine environments.
n
Migrate legacy servers to new hardware without reinstalling operating systems or application software.
n
Perform migrations across heterogeneous hardware.
n
Readjust volume sizes and place volumes on separate virtual disks.
Converter Standalone Components
The Converter Standalone application consists of Converter Standalone server,
Converter Standalone worker, Converter Standalone client, and Converter Standalone agent.
Converter Standalone
server
Enables and performs the import and export of virtual machines. The
Converter Standalone server comprises two services, Converter Standalone
server and Converter Standalone worker. The Converter Standalone worker
service is always installed with the Converter Standalone server service.
Converter Standalone
agent
The Converter Standalone server installs the agent on Windows source
machines to import them as virtual machines. You can choose to remove the
Converter Standalone agent from the source machine automatically or
manually after the import is complete.
Converter Standalone
client
The Converter Standalone server works with the Converter Standalone
client. The client component consists of the Converter Standalone user
interface, which provides access to the Conversion and the Configuration
wizards, and lets you to manage the conversion and the configuration tasks.
Cloning and System Configuration of Physical and Powered On
Virtual Machines
When you convert a source machine, Converter Standalone uses cloning and system reconfiguration steps
to create and configure the destination virtual machine so that it works successfully in vCenter Server and
hosted environments. Because the migration process does not delete or modify the source, you can continue
to use the original source machine after the conversion completes.
Cloning is the process of copying the source disks or volumes for the destination virtual machine. Cloning
involves copying the data on the source machine’s hard disk and transferring that data to a destination
virtual disk. The destination virtual disk might have a different size, file layout, and other characteristics,
and thus might not be an exact copy of the source disk.
System reconfiguration adjusts the migrated operating system so that it to functions on the new virtual
hardware .
If you plan to run an imported virtual machine on the same network as the source machine, you must
modify the network name and IP address on one of the machines so that the source and destination
machines can coexist. Besides, you must make sure that the Windows source machine and the destination
virtual machine have different computer names.
NOTE Before converting a Windows machine, verify that you have the proper Windows license.
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone User's Guide
10 VMware, Inc.