Virtualisation vendor updates converter technology

Virtualisation software vendor Vizioncore has just released a new version of its product to speed and automate the conversion of physical to virtual or virtual to virtual machines.

vConverter 3 is designed to allow VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer or Virtual Iron virtual environments to simplify, automate and accelerate the machine-to-machine conversion process. As a result, it can help maximise system availability and eliminate any potential impact from virtualisation project work on the smooth running of underlying physical systems.

Colin Wright, Vizioncore regional director for Northern Europe told IT PRO that customers are increasingly looking to standardise on virtual infrastructures. As they do so, they find the preparation and configuration of pre- and post-conversion tasks labour intensive, time consuming and costly in terms of the amount of manual involved and given the tight turnaround timeframes, often during non-peak times.

"Our simple-to-use GUI [graphical user interface] automates the pre-planning, configuration and scripting phases of a virtualisation project, removing the cost and labour overheads associated with such work," he said. "More junior IT administrators, as opposed to the system architects, can now carry out these tasks."

Version 3 builds on earlier versions released by another of Vizioncore parent company, Quest Software, which acquired its original developer and virtualisation management vendor Invirtus early last year. It adds compatibility for VMware ESX Server environments and allows administrators to perform either single or multiple scheduled 'lights out' machine conversions, to optimise the designing and planning of conversions to best fit infrastructure management needs.

Wright added that significant research and development efforts have also resulted in the fine-tuning of read/write/transfer algorithms and the creation of several new mechanisms to deliver speed, reliability and automation benefits. These efficiencies will also enable vConverter to support physical-to-virtual disaster recovery strategies.

It also boasts of patent-pending disk and networking features to deliver the fastest possible conversions; no infrastructure software to install; the ability to configure source services and run custom scripts on the target virtual machines; and minimal infrastructure impact, with no agents, or need for boot CDs or to visit machines being converted.

Vizioncore vConverter 3.0 is available immediately in two editions - Server Consolidation for single use conversions and Disaster Recovery for recurring use - from the vendor's channel partner network.