What is
https://code.vmware.com/web/tool/4.4.0/ovf
The OVF tool can be used to export and import virtual machines (vm) from one host to another. In my examples below I walk through how to export a vm to OVF files, import those files on another host and copy a vm directly from host to host.
I found the OVF tool to be incredibly fast and reliable for this process. At work using the ESXi Web GUI to export and import virtual machines was taking several hours. Using the OVF tool and a host to host copy this process now only takes 30 minutes.
My Lab
Install
Download and install the VMware OVF tool for your computer.
https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/downloads/details?downloadGroup=OVFTOOL441&productId=955
Windows 10 Install:
Use
Open an Administrator command prompt, change directory to the installation directory
cd “C:\program files\vmware\vmware ovf tool\”
Export OVF Files From ESXI Host
ovftool.exe –noSSLVerify vi://[email protected]/ubuntu C:\temp
Import OVF Files to ESXI Host
ovftool.exe –noSSLVerify –name=”ubuntucopy” –datastore=”datastore1″ –network=”VM Network” C:\temp\ubuntu\ubuntu.ovf vi://[email protected]
Copy Virtual Machine from Host to Host
ovftool.exe –noSSLVerify –allowAllExtraConfig –name=”ubuntucopy2″ –datastore=”datastore1″ –network=”VM Network” vi://[email protected]/ubuntu vi://[email protected]
Notes
Host to host Transfer, windows is still involved in the connection.
