Converting Encrypted Linux VMDK

Discussion in 'General Questions' started by ChambersAJ, Sep 25, 2012.

  1. ChambersAJ

    ChambersAJ Bit poster

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    Is there anyway to convert a linux VMDK that contains encrypted volumes? I tried to just convert it with the conversion tool and it will not boot once it is converted. The unencrypted portion works just fine it just complains that the encrypted volume will not boot.
     
  2. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

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    Unencrypt the volume using VMWare (get the trial).
     
  3. ChambersAJ

    ChambersAJ Bit poster

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    Thanks for the quick reply. I guess I should be a bit more specific. The VMDK itself is not encrypted, it contains LUKS encrypted partitions. The conversion happens and reports no errors, when Linux begins to boot is when it fails.
     
  4. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

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    Encrypted volumes are always complex to transfer between VM apps, even if the encryption is not made by the VM app itself, it most likely has to do how the data is stored and how it's read, unlikely it's in a raw manner.
     
  5. ChambersAJ

    ChambersAJ Bit poster

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    Yea, I am beginning to see that. It is working in Fusion, most likely since its from vmware. I am going to try to see if I can find something that can convert the vmdk to some kind of raw format then see how well Parallels works with that. I really wish it would work as I like Parallels a lot better than Fusion.
     
  6. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

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    Try g4u if you are comfortable with the command line.
     
  7. ChambersAJ

    ChambersAJ Bit poster

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    Thanks. I just converted the vmdk to a raw file and tried to work with it from there. It still does not work. I am going to attempt to get a copy of the physical drive the vmdk was built from. Is there any tool that will allow Parallels to make a virtual hd out of a physical HD?
     
  8. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

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    Parallels Transporter (for Linux), you get it from the download section of PDM in Parallels site.

    From LUKS' site:
    "In contrast to existing solution, LUKS stores all setup necessary setup information in the partition header, enabling the user to transport or migrate his data seamlessly."

    This might b the problem if Parallels overwrites or messes with the partition header.
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2012

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