Another option in many of the tools that can be used to help us when we create machines is the physical-to-virtual functionality, sometimes referred to as the P2V concept. Furthermore, this provides us with the capability to build any machine, run the conversion process to take the physical machine, and then convert it to a virtual machine. This functionality allows you to build a custom pen-testing platform machine and then perform the conversion and carry the machine anywhere you go out in the field. We have a couple of options to discuss. There is a free option provided by VMware that we can use, called vCenter Converter. With this tool, you can convert not only physical Windows machines, but also Linux. To try it out and see how well it works, you can download it from http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/.

We have another option, that is, using the feature from our VMware Workstation Pro installation. This should be your preferred option. If you open the software, clicking on File | Virtualize a Physical Machine will do the trick.