P2V Migration for Software Assurance

The Microsoft company released in September, 2010 the beta of the product P2V Migration for Software Assurance which will simplify and will accelerate migration of client IT infrastructures on the Windows platform 7 and also will allow the client organizations to avoid costs for ensuring compatibility of applications and the equipment with the new operating system.

Proposed solution uses the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and Sysinternals Disk2VHD tools for conversion of the existing working environments based on Windows XP or newer OS in virtual hard drives. The updated and personalized copy of Windows 7 which contains the virtual machine with the user Windows environment, including all installed applications, and the web browser is delivered to this disk.

Before work with a product the user should start the system intended for transfer (based on Windows XP SP3 or later OS) which can include the applications not compatible to Windows 7. Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 will organize completely automated process of transfer of a working environment on Windows 7, including will execute P2V-conversion of the started operating system using the Sysinternals Disk2VHD tool. The copy of Windows 7 received upon completion of process will contain the previous operating system started on the virtual machine.

The operability of the postponed programs which are initially not supporting Windows 7 is guaranteed by RemoteApp and Virtual PC technologies. The performed operation also assumes accurate transfer of all administrator settings, including membership in the domain and security policies.

Only the participants of the Software Assurance program locating retail-copies of Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 will be able to estimate advantages of a new solution. OEM versions of the listed operating systems which are installed on the new equipment cannot be postponed for a virtual disk in accordance with the terms of licensing of products of Microsoft.