Migrating a VMware Virtual Machine

In this article we are going to tell how to migrate your VMware Virtual Machine

1. VMware Workstation
2. VMware Fusion
3. vSphere Client
4. VMware OVF Tool

For the migration you need to convert your virtual server in the file with OVF or OVA format.

1. Select the virtual machine and then File > Export to OVF.
2. Enter a name for the OVF file and select a directory to save the file.
3. Click Save to start the OVF export process.
   The process may take several minutes. The status bar shows the progress of the export process.

The necessary conditions:

• Make sure the virtual machine is not encrypted. You cannot export an encrypted virtual machine to OVF format.
• Make sure the virtual machine is turned off.

Procedure:

1. Select the virtual machine and then File > Export to OVF.
2. Enter a name for the OVF file and select a directory to save the file.
3. Click Save to start the OVF export process.
   The process may take several minutes. The status bar shows the progress of the export process.

1. Choose a virtual machine and nextly do:  File > Export > Export OVF Template.
2. In the dialog window  “Export OVF Template” enter a name of  template.
   Note: while the export of the template OVF with the name wich contains stars(*), this characters converts to the underscore characters(_).
3. Choose a directory for saving a template file, or click "..." for a location selection.
4. In the pole Format choose type OVF or OVA.
   OVF - choose this formart, if you want to save the template in the kit of files (.ovf, .vmdk and .mf) This formart is optimal, if you are planning to publish the files on the web-server or in the disk storage.  The package can be imported, for example, in the vSphere by publishing the URL in an .ovf file.
   OVA - choose this formart for more comfort  OVF package distribution like a separate file, if it needs to be downloaded from the web or moved using USB. In fact is an OVF archive.
5. In the Description pole enter the description of your virtual machine.
   By the default text from the panel "Notes" from the tab "Virtual Machine Overview" will appear in that text pole.
6. Place a checkbox, if you want to turn on graphical files attached to the floppy and CD/DVD in the OVF package.
   Note: that checkbox will only be visible if ISO file is connected to the virtual machine or an image is attached to the drive.
7. Press "OK".
   The status bar shows the progress of the export process.

Upload VMware OVF Tool Installer from the VMware company site.

Choose a necessary version.

Go to the «Downloads» folder and start the downloaded file.

After the installation open Windows PowerShell. For the conversation you need a ovftool.exe file, wich is located on the path specified during installation. For example:

Go to the catalog «VMware OVF Tool» using cd program:

At the command prompt, enter the command with the following syntax:

After the conversation the OVF file with your virtual machine will appear.