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Imagineer
Asked: 2010-11-23 17:32:05 +0800 CST

How to add an exported virtual server (ovf) from ESX 3.5 and import it to ESX 4.1 with vCentre?

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I am trying to migrate VMs between ESX3.5 host and ESX 4.1host.

After exporting by Virtual Appliance->Export in ESX 3.5, an .ovf file and a vmdk file is created. I couldn't find any way to add to inventory on a ESX 4.1 host with vCentre.

There is no .vmx file for me to right-click add to inventory as found in some instructions.

Do I have to use VMware vCenter Converter Standalone or use ovftool instead?

I have tried the following steps: 1. Virtual Appliance->Export to create .ovf file. 2. Try to convert .ovf to .vmx file using ovftool so that it can be added by right clicking .vmx file on ESX 4.1 host.

It might not even be necessary to do step 1 and convert .vmx to ovf directly using ovftool. I'm not sure after converting to ovf using ovftool, would I be ending up with the same scenario that I wouldn't be able to add to ESX 4.1 host inventory?

Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you.

virtualization vmware-esx

1 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    Once you export the Appliance from 3.5, all you need to do in 4.1 to import it is File -> Deploy OVF Template. Then simply file the dialog boxes and choose the exported .ovf file as your source.

    In the scenario you've described, there is no reason to use the Converter nor the ovftool to deploy the VM.

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