Converting VirtualBox .vdi to Proxmox VM using VBoxManage

Converting a VirtualBox virtual machine (VM) to a Proxmox VM involves several steps, including extracting the data from the VirtualBox .vdi file, converting it to a raw .img file using VBoxManage, and then creating a new Proxmox VM using the raw image. This tutorial will guide you through the process.

Prerequisites:

1. A VirtualBox virtual machine with a .vdi disk image.
2. A Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE) server with the necessary resources.
3. Administrative access to both the VirtualBox host and Proxmox server.

Step 1: Export VirtualBox VM as .ova (Optional)

If you have a running VirtualBox VM, it’s a good practice to export it as an Open Virtualization Format (OVF) .ova file for backup purposes. This step is optional but recommended.

1. In VirtualBox, select the VM you want to export.
2. Go to “File” -> “Export Appliance.”
3. Follow the wizard to create an .ova file.

Step 2: Convert .ova to .img using VBoxManage (if applicable)

If you exported the VM as an .ova file in Step 1, you can convert it to a raw .img file using VBoxManage. Skip this step if you already have a raw .img file.

VBoxManage clonehd your_vm.ova your_vm.img --format RAW

Step 3: Transfer .img to Proxmox Server

Copy the raw .img file to your Proxmox server using secure copy (SCP) or any other preferred method.

scp your_vm.img user@proxmox_server:/path/to/storage

Step 4: Create a Proxmox VM

1. Log in to the Proxmox web interface (usually at https://your_proxmox_server:8006).
2. Navigate to “Datacenter” in the left sidebar and select your storage under “Storage.”
3. Click “Upload” and select your_vm.img.
4. Once uploaded, navigate to “VMs” in the left sidebar and click “Create VM.”
5. Follow the VM creation wizard:
   • Name your VM and select the node where it will run.
   • Choose the OS type that matches your VM’s OS.
   • Assign memory, CPU cores, and storage size.
   • Select the raw .img file as the storage source.
   • Configure network settings as needed.
   • Complete the wizard and start the VM.

Step 5: Boot and Configure

1. Start the Proxmox VM.
2. Access the VM console through the Proxmox web interface.
3. Boot the VM and follow the on-screen instructions to configure the network, hostname, and any other settings specific to your VM’s OS.

Step 6: Install Virtio Drivers (Optional)

If you have a Windows VM, consider installing Virtio drivers to improve performance. These drivers are optimized for virtual environments.

Step 7: Test and Verify

After configuring the VM, test it to ensure that it runs correctly in the Proxmox environment. Make any necessary adjustments or installations.

Converting a VirtualBox .vdi to a Proxmox VM involves exporting or converting the virtual disk to a raw .img format using VBoxManage and then creating a new Proxmox VM using the raw image. With this guide, you can migrate your VMs between these virtualization platforms efficiently.