VMware vCenter Converter is a vital program for various VMware administrators, which comes at no cost. Even after so many years of physical to virtual conversion (P2V) in various enterprises have over.
Still, there are machines to reconfigure or convert, as the program can even resize and optimize disks and the layout. VMware vCenter Converter does not only perform P2V but even V2V (virtual to virtual) conversions.
The V2V migration could be interesting when discussing resizing, optimizing, or migrating. One can employ various software utilities for your V2V, P2V, or disk resizing tasks.
However, using this Converter tool is recommended in several cases, which is quite trouble-free.
The other component of V2V or P2V work could be a state where users like to reclaim a dead space within a provisioned disk or resize a virtual disk. One can do this with the help of VMware vCenter Converter.
Also, you can use it for resizing the target virtual machine’s disk and optimizing its layout. This product has grown over some years, and the company maintains the product actively.
However, there are certainly good practices to use it and also to maximize its benefits. So, here are some tips that could be useful in this regard!
Amazing tips for Employing VMware vCenter Converter
VMware vCenter Converter is a free program that has been there on the market for a while now. If you have been working with VMware products before, there is a good possibility that you have used this tool before.
Also, you will run the tool without issues regarding migration. Here are some tips you can use while using VMware vCenter Converter!
Also, learn more about the powerful VMware P2V converter.
1. Uninstall Unnecessary Software
When you go for P2V, formerly uninstall the software you would not use anymore on the computer once it has become a virtual machine. It could be monitoring software associated with the physical server, diagnostics, or any other software.
2. Disable Services
So, there could be services that users like to disable, like services associated with disk activities. This is so because these services slow down your process of conversion.
Also, if you do not disable servers, which causes disk activity, there are chances that the migration will not complete or take a longer time.
3. Choose Disks You Like to Alter and the Accurate Size
Throughout the wizard users have launched before the conversion procedure, you have a chance to choose the disks you like to convert and their correct size.
![Choose Disks You Like to Alter and the Accurate Size](https://istar.tips/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Create-optimized-partition-layout-600x360-1.png)
4. Go with the Latest Version
Occasionally, VMware continues to update this program. If you have the latest version, then you will be able to enjoy its advanced features.
So, if you encounter any issue while migrating, it can be resolved simply by updating the tool.
PS: here, you will learn more about how to download Notepad++ for Mac as well as the VMware vSphere Hypervisor.
5. Downgrade VM Version
The version downgrading is possible through VMware vCenter Converter inside the workflow.
If you have gotten a virtual machine from the software developer itself or any external enterprise and that VM is saved in the recent format as per your existing VMware vSphere setting, the VM will not run.
In that situation, you first have to downgrade the virtual machine hardware. One can perform this task using the V2V reconfiguration procedure.
![Downgrade VM Version](https://istar.tips/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Downgrade-virtual-machine-version-600x474-1.png)
6. Use the ‘Connect to Another Server’ Option
The option ‘Connect to Another Server’ enables users to join another server remotely. It even manages the tasks that the node is performing. Suppose you have lots of conversion functions to perform.
In that case, rather than using single nodes or single machines for every conversion task, you can carry out various conversion operations in parallel.
Using VMware vCenter Converter, users can create several server nodes as well as run multiple conversion operations at a single time.
![Use the 'Connect to Another Server' Option](https://istar.tips/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Connect-to-another-server-600x268-1.png)
7. Disable AV Program
One should stop the anti-virus services or entirely disable the anti-virus software. Some anti-virus software may not permit you to perform this action.
In that situation, it is best to uninstall and reinstall that program once users have the virtual machine running well after the migration procedure.
8. Save the IP configuration
Before the commencement of the conversion, users might like to save their IP configuration. When migrating a server using a static IP, they have to reconfigure the same for DHCP. One can perform “ipconfig/all>c:\ip.txt” for saving the IP configuration into a document on the C drive.
9. Know the Local Administrator Password or Cache the AD Credentials
You like to cache the Active Directory credentials as while you migrate, the new system will form new NICs.
Thus, you could not get online to log into the domain. It will really help if you have the local administrator account handy.
10. After-conversion Operations
There are certain tasks that you have to perform after the migration too. However, one can do away with them, but these tasks help get the best performance. So, you will definitely like to check those operations.
- If you are converting a very old OS like NT4e, or Windows, you should first begin the virtual machine in protected mode.
- If you have not done so prior to the alteration, users need to uninstall the RAID management programs, management software, network teaming, video and sound drivers, and wireless card management software. Now, restart in normal mode and do not begin if prompted by the uninstalled program; let users have ended all the uninstallation process.
- Get rid of all pointless virtual hardware.
11. Eliminate ‘Ghosted Devices’
Ghost devices are those that are not visible in the system manager (only Windows VMs) but came in during the conversion procedure. They could be certain RAID cards or any hardware which is not used or required in a virtual machine.
On your virtual machine, visit the ‘Start’ tab, tap on ‘Run,’ and hit ‘Enter.’ After this, you need to type the command ‘set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1‘. Next, open the device manager. Then, click on ‘View.’ Once done, you need to select ‘Show hidden devices.’
![Eliminate 'Ghosted Devices'](https://istar.tips/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Show-hidden-devices-600x225-1.png)
12. Employ VMXNET 3 Network Cards
Later to P2V, you need to ensure that the virtual machine is arranged with VMXNET 3 NICs and not E1000 for better performance. These NICs are the recent ones and are known as para-virtualized NICs.
They perform very well and are the most advanced NICs virtually. This kind of NIC offers multi-queue customer support, MSI/MSI-X interject delivery and IPv6 offloads.
![Employ VMXNET 3 Network Cards](https://istar.tips/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Use-VMXNET3-network-adapters-600x572-1.png)
13. Utilize Local Installation
When the conversion fails, you can install this converter software on the screen. Users might face network inactivity between the worker and server or migration issues. In that case, the local installation will help.
So, install the software locally and enter the bits present into the ESXi host or virtual infrastructure.
14. Get Rid of the Vendor-specific Program
Now, just carry out your due diligence and work on your image. There is no requirement to keep junk on your profile. So, it is best to get rid of vendor-specific software.
15. Shrink Disk Sizes
Rightsizing the virtual machine is also a part of the conversion process. Most physical servers are bigger, which is a common reason for moving them to virtual machines. In that case, you can shrink the memory, CPU footprint, and disk anytime.
16. Disable SSL
If you are allowed to do it, you can disable SSL to speed up transfers. It will dramatically speed up the migrations because the migrated data will not be encrypted. If the company policies allow doing so, you will save a great deal of time by switching off SSL.
FAQs
1. Can VMware vCenter Converter convert physical machines running macOS? No, VMware vCenter Converter currently supports only physical machines running Windows or Linux operating systems.
2. Is VMware vCenter Converter available for free? Yes, VMware vCenter Converter is available as a free tool.
3. Can I convert multiple machines simultaneously using VMware vCenter Converter? Yes, VMware vCenter Converter allows you to convert multiple machines simultaneously, provided your system resources can handle the workload.
4. Can I convert a virtual machine from VMware Workstation to VMware ESXi using VMware vCenter Converter? Yes, VMware vCenter Converter supports the conversion of virtual machines between different VMware platforms.
5. Does VMware vCenter Converter support the conversion of physical machines with dynamic disks? Yes, VMware vCenter Converter can convert physical machines with dynamic disks into virtual machines without any issues.
Conclusion
So, these were some significant tips related to vCenter Converter, which is an amazing tool. If you go through the above-mentioned tips, you can enjoy successful migrations.
VMware vCenter Converter has a long history, which helps troubleshoot if you encounter any problems. There are lots of issues already documented in VMware KB articles and forums. Ensure to check out these articles.
So, have a nice experience with this impressive converter! Now, wait no more and get the best migrating experience using VMware vCenter Converter. Install the program now without spending a bit!