How to Create an OVF from a VM?

Creating an OVF template from a virtual machine (VM) allows you to package the VM's configuration and virtual disks into a standard format for easy distribution and deployment. Using the VMWare vSphere Client, the process is straightforward.

What is an OVF Template?

An Open Virtualization Format (OVF) is a standard format for packaging and distributing virtual machines. An OVF package can contain one or more virtual machines, along with their configuration and metadata. The OVF package is often distributed as a set of files, while an Open Virtual Appliance (OVA) is a single-file archive (.ova) containing the OVF package. Both formats enable portability and deployment across different virtualization platforms that support the standard.

Exporting a VM to OVF/OVA using VMware vSphere Client

The most common method for creating an OVF template from an existing virtual machine within a VMware environment is by using the vSphere Client. This tool provides a graphical interface to manage your vSphere environment.

Prerequisites

Before you can export a virtual machine as an OVF template, there are a couple of important prerequisites:

• Access to VMware vSphere Client: You must be connected to the vCenter Server or ESXi host managing the virtual machine using the vSphere Client.
• Virtual Machine Must Be Powered Off: As stated in the reference, the virtual machine you wish to export must be powered off. You cannot export a running or suspended VM to an OVF template using this method.

Step-by-Step Guide

Once the prerequisites are met, follow these steps within the VMWare vSphere Client:

1. Open the VMWare vSphere Client and connect to your vCenter Server or ESXi host.
2. Navigate to and select the specific virtual machine you want to export.
3. Confirm that the selected virtual machine is powered off.
4. Go to the main menu bar at the top of the vSphere Client window.
5. Click on the "File" menu.
6. From the dropdown menu, select "Export".
7. Choose the "Export OVF Template..." option.
8. An "Export OVF Template" wizard will appear. Follow the prompts to:
   • Enter a name for the OVF template.
   • Choose the directory where you want to save the OVF files (or the single OVA file).
   • Select the format (OVF or OVA). OVA is generally preferred for simpler distribution as it's a single file.
   • Optionally, include extra configuration or restrict the deployment.
9. Click "OK" or "Finish" (depending on the wizard version) to start the export process.

The vSphere Client will then export the virtual machine's configuration and virtual disks to the specified location in the chosen OVF or OVA format. The time taken will depend on the size of the virtual disks and your network speed.

Why Export as OVF?

Exporting your virtual machines to the OVF format offers several benefits:

• Portability: OVF is a widely accepted standard, making it easier to import and deploy VMs on different virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware, VirtualBox, KVM) that support the OVF specification.
• Standardization: It provides a consistent way to package VMs, ensuring all necessary components and configurations are included.
• Ease of Sharing: OVF/OVA files are convenient for sharing pre-configured virtual appliances or templates with others.
• Simplified Deployment: Importing an OVF/OVA template often streamlines the deployment process compared to manually setting up a new VM and attaching disks.

Quick Summary

By following these steps, you can effectively package your virtual machines into a portable and standard OVF or OVA format using the VMware vSphere Client.