(Length: 3 pages)

March 23, 2006

Physical-To-Virtual Server Conversion Basics

by Galen Schreck

with David Friedlander, Sarah Bernhardt

Executive Summary (This is a document excerpt)

The rapid adoption of server virtualization products from VMware and Microsoft has created an opportunity for conversion tools that help migrate physical servers to virtual machines. Today, physical-to-virtual (P2V) products range from low-cost utilities designed for a one-time migration to more automated tools with management consoles that support back-and-forth migrations for load balancing or disaster recovery. Forrester believes advances in system imaging for P2V products will change the way firms manage server migrations, consolidation projects, and disaster recovery.