We have already used few methods for Physical to Virtual Machine Migration using different tools. This time we are focusing on clonezilla which is probably easiest tool available for p2v migration.
You can use clonezilla for p2v for both KVM & Citrix XenServer, we have not test it on vmware or virtualbox.
Requirements
You need to have basic knowledge to use clonezilla.
Clonezilla setup to boot using pxe.
Store Clonezilla image on remote machine, on nfs / samba etc.
Steps
1) Create clonezilla image of running machine.
2) Create VM with same OR more hdd space
3) Boot VM using pxe to access clonezilla.
4) Restore image which is created on 1st step.
Once image is restored,
Xenserver – you need to install xentools. On xenserver we have noticed after image restore vm did not boot if we were using standard OS templates. If other installation media is selected as template while creating vm, it works fine.
KVM – kvm restore works just fine.
Limitations,
Clonezilla p2v does not work if you are using uefi bios on physical machine.
Other methods,
Migrate physical Machine to KVM -P2V
Migrate Win XP On Xenserver -P2V
Migrate Win 2003 On Xenserver -P2V
Migrate Linux On Xenserver -P2V
Migrate physical Machine to VirtualBox