Changing an instance from VirtualBox to VMWare can be a cumbersome process. But it is as simple as converting VDI disk file to VMDK. If your PC is Windows, read and discover how to do it in a matter of minutes.
Virtual hard disk file types
- VMDK: o VirtualBox Machine Disk is the format used by VMWare and is compatible with its entire environment. Virtual Box supports this type of format without problem, therefore, it is the one indicated to work in either of the two ecosystems.
- VDI: its acronym in English is VirtualBox Disk Image and it is the format used by the Oracle company for the Virtual Box program.
- QCOW: is the format used for the QEMU program. Its acronym in English is QEMU Copy on Write. Another that is often used is QED or QEMU Enhanced Disk.
- VHD – This is the standard virtual hard disk format. The advantage of the Virtual Hard Disk is its versatility since it supports almost any partition and supports several users for each operating system. It is used frequently with Microsoft Virtual PC.
Convert a VDI file to VMDK
- Download VirtualBox: If you do not have the latest version of VirtualBox installed, go to its official website and download the version compatible with your operating system.
- Open the terminal or the system console: enter the system console with the hotkeys (Windows + R) and type CMD. Open the console in administrator mode.
- Write the path of the VirtualBox folder: Write the following line on the black screen: cd C: \ Program Files \ Oracle \ VirtualBox. Both the path and the letter of the disk partition may change depending on where the program folder is located.
- Clone the current disk and change format: Now type the command line VBoxManage clonehd Disk_name.dvi Disk_name.vmdk – format vmdk. Change Disk_Name to the actual name of the file you want to modify and press the Enter key.
Using VBox Commands
The VBox commands have multiple utilities to manage virtual machines in VirtualBox through written orders. This is usually a great advantage when there are problems with the program’s graphical interface. The most commonly used commands:
- View virtual disk information: VBoxManage showhdinfo
- Create a new virtual hard disk: VBoxManage createhd
- Show a list of virtual machines and their properties: VBoxManage list
- Import a disk image: VBoxManage import
- Start a virtual machine: VBoxManage startvm “vmachine”
- Stop a virtual machine: VBoxManage controlvm “vmachine” pause
- Restart a virtual machine that is paused: VBoxManage controlvm “vmachine” summarizes
- Restart a virtual machine (reset): VBoxManage controlvm «vmachine» reset
Differences between Virtual Box and VMware
More than offering a virtualization service, VMware offers a complete ecosystem of tools to use various connected applications. It was the first to virtualize x86 systems.
The VMware environment can be used as a private cloud and even managed as a mobile device management center. Whereas Virtual Box is solid virtualization software that works with all x86 platforms.
With Virtual Box you can switch from one operating system to another, just by changing the window. It is characterized by offering a safe and independent environment for each machine.
In addition to offering a free Oracle VM license, you only have to download it to use it. Instead, VMware Workstation Pro is free, but for a trial period. The VMware Workstation Pro license costs $ 299.99.
As Virtual Box evolves, it more closely resembles VMware capabilities despite not having the same 3D graphics capabilities and compatibility with vCloud Air or Sphere environments.