VMware Releases New Converter Tool

VMware on Monday released a beta version of VMware Converter 3, a tool that takes a physical computer system and transforms it into a virtual machine image to be used with the company's products. The new release combines two previously separate tools: VMware P2V Assistant and Virtual Machine Importer.

In addition to the physical-to-virtual conversion, Converter 3 can also change third-party VM formats including Microsoft Virtual Server and Virtual PC and Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery into VMware compatible images. Converter 3 will be available free of charge, with a special Enterprise Edition for paying customers. A beta version is available for download now.