During Linux P2V operations, the converter provisions a target "Helper VM". In versions 5.5.1 and 5.5.2, this Helper VM relied on an unpatched Bash shell. Version 5.5.3 explicitly closes this remote code execution pathway by updating the underlying environment.
The primary purpose of this tool is to create a digital replica of an operating system, its applications, and its data. Pluralsight P2V (Physical to Virtual):
Migrates running remote physical machines (Windows and Linux) into VMware VMs without modifying the source.
: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 3.x through 6.x, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 9 through 11, and Ubuntu 10.04 to 13.04. Supported Destination Platforms VMware ESX/ESXi 4.0, 4.1, 5.0, 5.1, and 5.5. VMware vCenter Server 4.0, 4.1, 5.0, 5.1, and 5.5. VMware Workstation 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, and 10.x. Architecture and Components
: A lightweight service deployed temporarily or permanently to source systems. It captures the local drive data and tracks changes during live hot cloning. vmware-vcenter-converter-standalone-5.5-3
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.5.3 is a legacy utility used to automate the process of converting physical machines (P2V) and virtual machines (V2V) into VMware virtual machines. While newer versions like 6.3 or 6.6 are recommended for modern environments, version 5.5.3 remains significant for administrators managing legacy systems. Experts Exchange Core Functionality
Then restart SSH: service sshd restart
: Converts physical machines, VMware server virtualization formats (Workstation, Player, Fusion), and third-party backup images (like Acronis or Symantec).
Choose to resize partitions, convert thick disks to thin-provisioned formats, or exclude non-essential data volumes. During Linux P2V operations, the converter provisions a
: Assign a name to the new virtual machine and select the inventory location/folder.
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.5.3, released on October 9, 2014
Physical servers (HP, Dell, etc.), powered-on machines, or powered-off images (like Acronis).
A temporary Linux-based runtime deployed dynamically at the destination target to safely receive and assemble Linux physical volumes during non-Windows P2V procedures. Why Version 5.5.3? Critical Security Fixes The primary purpose of this tool is to
If you need assistance with an error or a different migration path, please let me know: What is running on your source machine? What version of vSphere or ESXi is your target destination?
Modify the structural configuration of the destination VM within the Options pane:
Technical Overview: VMware vCenter Converter Standalone 5.5.3
Boot the destination VM using an operating system installation ISO via the vSphere console. Access the recovery environment to repair the boot loader manually. Alternatively, verify that hidden system reserved partitions containing the boot configuration data were included in the volume copy selection. SSL Exception / Cipher Suite Mismatch