Based on the considerations described in the previous section, we suggest the following methods of migration. Choose the one that best suits your needs.
Cold imaging + recovery to a new machine
This is the simplest method. It fits most cases and does not require software installation. It allows you to modify basic settings of the virtual machine, including disk size.
Hot imaging + conversion to a virtual machine
This is a simple method. It requires software installation unless the machine is already protected with an Acronis agent. The virtual machine settings cannot be modified on the fly. The method is useful in the "stand-by server" scenario when you create a spare virtual machine and update it from time to time. Also, you can easily back it up using Acronis Backup & Recovery 11.5 because the virtual machine contains an Acronis agent.
Hot imaging + recovery to a new machine
This is a combination of the previous two methods. It is useful for migrating a machine already protected with an Acronis agent. It allows you to modify basic settings of the virtual machine, including disk size.
Step-by-step instructions can be combined from the ones of the previous two methods.
Recovery to an existing virtual machine booted with bootable media
This is the most advanced and flexible method. This is the only way to reproduce LVMs or software RAID on the resulting virtual machine. With this method, you can use all the functionality available at a physical machine recovery and create whatever volume layout you wish. The imaging method can be either cold or hot. It does not influence the recovery.