Ubuntu – Using clonezilla to move data to a smaller disk on vmware

I have a guest ubuntu server with a 500gb hd running on vmware esxi 5.0. I want to shrink the disk, my plan is to use clonezilla to move the files to a smaller disk, boot from that disk and then delete the larger disk.

Will this work?

Also, The machine is a publicly accessible database so it can't be down long. In there an easy way to copy the entire machine and route to that IP until the smaller one is ready?

[Solution]

used vmware converter.
first:

-enable root account on ubuntu server :
$sudo -i
$sudo passwd root

On windows 7 local:
"In Windows Explorer, browse to the folder C:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware vCenter Converter Standalone\ssl

When you try to open folder ssl, you will discover that you do not have permission to do so.

Assuming you have administrator privileges:

When you double click to open folder ssl, a pop-up will present a CONTINUE button which, when pressed, will permanently unlock the folder for you and the problem will be solved.

I'm doing this from memory – if I skipped a step in unlocking the folder, the problem is simply that the folder ssl is locked and you need to unlock it."
-do this or conversion will fail

use converter to
convert>powered on machine:
IP of VM you want to duplicate + root account and pass

chose host as destination sys

edit configuration to choose a static IP different from original machine.
(here can also alter disk size)

and good to go.