If you are running a tight (nah free, nah hobo data centre) you may from time to time need to P2V your Linux server to run it under VirtualBox. Here are some ways how:
If you have a USB HDD
Boot a Linux live CD, mount your USB somewhere, lets say /media/bigusb then simply run:
df –h (to find your {localdrivename})
dd if=/dev/{localdrivename} of=/media/bigusb/p2vdrive.raw
unmount the bigusb and move it to your virtualbox server, then run
VBoxManage convertdd p2vdrive.raw p2vdrive.vdi --format VDI
If you have a server
dd if=/dev/{localdrivename} | ssh logonname@ipAddress "dd of=/media/bigdisk/p2vdrive.raw"
VBoxManage convertdd p2vdrive.raw p2vdrive.vdi --format VDI
And away you go..
