VMware 4817V62 - vSphere - PC, Administration Manual

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Deploying OVF Templates
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The VMware vSphere Client (vSphere Client) allows you to import and export virtual machines, virtual
appliances, and vApps stored in Open Virtual Machine Format (OVF). An appliance is a pre-configured virtual
machine that typically includes a preinstalled guest operating system and other software.
Deploying an OVF template allows you to add pre-configured virtual machines to your vCenter Server or
ESX/ESXi inventory. Deploying an OVF template is similar to deploying a virtual machine from a template.
However, you can deploy an OVF template from any local file system accessible from the vSphere Client
machine, or from a remote web server. The local file systems can include local disks (such as C:), removable
media (such as CDs or USB keychain drives), and shared network drives.
Exporting OVF templates allows you to create virtual appliances that can be imported by other users. You can
use the export function to distribute pre-installed software as a virtual appliance, or as a means of distributing
template virtual machines to users, including users who cannot directly access and use the templates in your
vCenter Server inventory.
This chapter includes the following topics:
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“About OVF,” on page 99
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“Deploy an OVF Template,” on page 99
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“Browse VMware Virtual Appliance Marketplace,” on page 101
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“Export an OVF Template,” on page 101
About OVF
OVF is a file format that allows for exchange of virtual appliances across products and platforms.
The OVF format offers the following advantages:
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OVF files are compressed, allowing for faster downloads.
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The vSphere Client validates an OVF file before importing it, and ensures that it is compatible with the
intended destination server. If the appliance is incompatible with the selected host, it cannot be imported
and an error message appears.
Deploy an OVF Template
You can deploy an OVF template from a local file system accessible to the vSphere Client machine, or from a
web URL.
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To import a virtual machine that was created by another VMware product and is not in OVF format,
use the VMware vCenter Converter module. See the VMware Converter Enterprise for vCenter Server
documentation for more information.
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