Microsoft Azure’s New VM Conversion Tool: A Game Changer for On-Premise Data Management
With organizations increasingly concerned about compliance and data governance, many are opting to retain their data on-premises, despite the numerous advantages of managed cloud environments like Microsoft Azure. In response to this trend, Microsoft has introduced the public preview of a VM Conversion tool designed specifically for these users.
Seamless Migration with VM Conversion
This innovative utility, accessible as an extension within the Windows Admin Center, facilitates the conversion of VMware virtual machines (VMs) to Windows Server running on Hyper-V. The tool achieves this by establishing an agentless connection to the virtualization environment, allowing it to replicate data from the source without causing any disruption or downtime.
During the process, the original VM remains operational until the user consents to power it down, after which the data is transferred to the target host. Microsoft claims that this tool can handle the migration of up to 10 VMs simultaneously, with conversions completed in mere minutes. Notably, BIOS-based VMs are automatically mapped to Generation 1, while UEFI-based VMs are designated to Generation 2, ensuring boot configuration integrity is preserved.
Enhanced Features and Functionality
The VM Conversion tool is versatile, supporting the migration of multiple hard disks and accommodating both Windows and Linux guest VMs. Notably, the process is initiated with prechecks that assess critical components and configurations of the guest VM. Any identified issues must be addressed manually by IT administrators before proceeding.
Change Block Tracking for Efficient Data Transfer
To maintain operational continuity during the migration, the tool utilizes change block tracking (CBT).This technology creates a replica of the source VM while it is still running, capturing any changes. Once the VM powers down, a final replication pass captures any delta changes, ensuring that the target host is up-to-date with the source VM’s last state.
Access and Additional Information
For those interested in delving deeper into the technicalities of the VM Conversion tool, Microsoft provides comprehensive details available here. Importantly, this extension is completely free and can be conveniently installed within the Windows Admin Center.
With the release of the VM Conversion tool, Microsoft is positioned to significantly enhance the migration experience for those looking to transition from VMware to Hyper-V, all while ensuring compliance and governance standards are met.
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