Hi All,
I just started exploring the ovf-tools. I have an ovf template available for a VM and I was able to deploy it in Workstation using the GUI.
Is there a way / command available to use this pre-existing .ovf template and deploy a Virtual Machine in workstation using this; through ovf-tool?
Any help would be appreciated.
From virtualmachine i have exported .ovf file from the following website http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/how-do-i-convert-virtualbox-files-to-work-with-vmware-workstation/#.
and i recieved the following error in cmd prompt.
can anyone please help me to understand error line 84 and prove me solution .
........................................................................................
Error:
- Line 84: Could not parse the document: 'mismatched tag'
Warning:
- No manifest file found.
Completed with errors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steps followed:
The first step is to export your virtual machine from VirtualBox.
The file you need to edit will be the .ovf file that serves as the descriptor for your virtual machine. You MUST open this in a text editor. Do NOT open it in a word processor as this will add extra characters to the file, which will render it unreadable by either VirtualBox or VMWare. The first section you need to edit is the format section. Look for a line of code (near the top) that contains this phrase:
ovf:format=
What follows that section needs to be changed to:
"http://www.vmware.com/interfaces/specifications/vmdk.html#streamOptimized"
The next edit (in the same file) is the Virtual SystemType, and it must be one of the following:
<vssd:VirtualSystemType>vmx-07</vssd:VirtualSystemType> (for a esx 4.0)
<vssd:VirtualSystemType>vmx-04</vssd:VirtualSystemType> (for esx 3.5.x and 4.0 hosts)
Believe it or not, the next item to edit is the rsad for the sound card. The section will look similar to:
<Item>
<rasd:Caption>sound</rasd:Caption>
<rasd:Description>Sound Card</rasd:Description>
<rasd:InstanceId>6</rasd:InstanceId>
<rasd:ResourceType>35</rasd:ResourceType>
<rasd:ResourceSubType>ensoniq1371</rasd:ResourceSubType>
<rasd:AutomaticAllocation>false</rasd:AutomaticAllocation>
<rasd:AddressOnParent>3</rasd:AddressOnParent>
</Item>
To the above section, add the following after the first <Item> tag:
<Item ovf:required="false">
This step requires you to download and install the VMWare OVF Tool (you will have to log in first). The OVF tool is command-line only, and it will convert your newly prepped .ovf file into a .vmx that VMWare can use. To do this, follow these steps:
I've been given a backup of a VMWare Virtual Machine that I'm trying to move to ESXi. Running ovftool on this produces an error that says it can't open a file. However, the file it can't open is actually the directory containing the VM files:
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware OVF Tool>ovftool.exe i:\MFTsrv-Win2008-Teacher\POT_2008R2_DEMO.vmx d:\MQFTE.ovf
Opening VMX source: i:\MFTsrv-Win2008-Teacher\POT_2008R2_DEMO.vmx
Error: Failed to open file: i:\MFTsrv-Win2008-Teacher\
Completed with errors
I've also tried under Linux with the same results:
[eddieath@oc5321677557 ~]$ sudo ovftool --X:logFile=logit --X:logLevel=verbose /media/MFTsrv-Win2008-Teacher/POT_2008R2_DEMO.vmx MQFTE.ovf
Opening VMX source: /media/MFTsrv-Win2008-Teacher/POT_2008R2_DEMO.vmx
Error: Failed to open file: /media/MFTsrv-Win2008-Teacher/
Completed with errors
The attached logfile contains this:
2015-04-15T07:37:39.237-07:00 verbose /media/MFTsrv-Win2008-Teacher/ is not a file
What am I doing wrong here.
Cheers.
Hello, new to here and couldnt find a solution to my issuue.
Downloaded VMware OVF Tool 4.1.0
I am trying to convert GNS3 WorkBench 12.3a into an OVA to install as a guest on ESXi 5.5
GNS3WB123.vmx is the file that I'm trying to convert to OVA
I have tried following the directions from https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/ovf/ovf10/ovftool_10_userguide.pdf
I continue to get failed messages. Is there anyone here that can assist with the OVF tool so I can run GNS3 as a guest, instead of installing on a guest Windows or Linux program?
Thanks
Using a seperate process (python-vm-builder), I am building an ESX/ESXi compliant image that I have confirmed can be uploaded, imported and started in Workstation, ESX 3.0, ESXi 3.5 and even Server 2.0+.
I'm trying to go into the next step now, and convert this ESXi Image into a single OVF archive for even easier deployments.
Using the latest OVF Tool I have successfully created the new .ovf and zipped it up inside a tar.gz'd. On my Windows box, I then extract it (using WinRAR), then using 'Import' in VIC try to import it. When I select the OVF and click next it then throws the below error:
An error occurred while parsing the OVF descriptor
Unable to parse XML element 'Envelope'
What am I doing wrong?
I have attached both the original VMX and the new OVF.
Please help!
Thank you.
I used ovftool (1.0 running in a RHEL 5.2 VM) to create an ovf of a powered off RHEL 5.1 VM. All was successful and I can probe the OVF without issue. However, when I try to import it as a virtual appliance using Virtual Center 2.5 Update 5 I receive:
An error occurred while parsing the OVF descriptor: Unable to parse xml element 'Envelope'
I've attached the ovf file.
Any ideas?
I need to write a script to remotely shotdown a guest VM, export it to .ova format an restart it.
Is there any sample I can start from?
Regards
marius
Hello,
I am seeking guidance on automation\customization of an OVA deployment.
Looking to use an OVA due to it's compression ability which is favorable when needing to transfer a VMWare virtual machine from Host to Host for deployment at different location across a WAN. In the past, we have created a VM template and provided customization file for deployment but the size of the template was too large for transfer across the WAN....so we would have to ship on seperate media.
I am looking to achieve the same end result of deployment of a vm template but through the deployment of the OVA template.
Here is where I am at so far:
1. Create the VM (in this case Windows XP SP3)
2. Export the VM to OVA Template.
3. Deploy OVA Template
All of the above works without any problem. However, during deployment of the OVA, I would like to prompt the end user to input computer name, Fixed IP information or DHCP, domain to join, etc. Additionally, I would like sysprep to run.
I have read the guide and numerous articles on the OVF descriptors, but not quite sure where or how to input these prompts so they appear during the OVA deployment. Additionally, if I sysprep the vm before exporting to OVA, how can I get sysprep and the input from the end user deployment to work hand in hand.
Thanks in advance for any guidance or tutorial reference you can supply to help me understand OVA deployment of a single vm and how to configure custom settings during deployment with sysprep running.
Hello..
Is it possible to give vCenter appliance ip, gateway, netmask etc via ovftool? Same way as to Orchestrator.
--prop:vami.DNS.VMware_vCenter_Server_Appliance=10.0.0.69 --prop:vami.gateway.VMware_vCenter_Server_Appliance=10.0.0.1 --prop:vami.ip0.VMware_vCenter_Server_Appliance=10.0.0.96 --prop:vami.netmask0.VMware_vCenter_Server_Appliance=255.255.255.0
When running these commands with ovftool, it doesnt give any errors or anything, but it doesnt pass the variables forward either. Clearly vCenter appliance doesnt have any "intelligence" for such feature.
ovftool --acceptAllEulas --skipManifestCheck --datastore=storage-1 --diskMode=thin --name=vcenter --prop:vami.DNS.VMware_vCenter_Server_Appliance=10.0.0.69 --prop:vami.gateway.VMware_vCenter_Server_Appliance=10.0.0.1 --prop:vami.ip0.VMware_vCenter_Server_Appliance=10.0.0.96 --prop:vami.netmask0.VMware_vCenter_Server_Appliance=255.255.255.0
/VMware-vCenter-Server-Appliance-5.0.0.3324-472350/VMware-vCenter-Server-Appliance-5.0.0.3324-472350_OVF10.ovf.backup vi://10.0.0.10
So any tips? Do I need to create some external media and modify the appliance to add it in, which will pass the needed variables to appliance, and script which will run from init.d on start and read those?
-k-
Hi,
I have created a Video Tutorial for Beginners to show 'How to use ovftool command line utility'
fosshelp: How to use ovftool command line utility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuvHfB6BdJk
Thanks,
okay, I know this isn't developed yet, but I thought I would ask about.
first I love VMware workstation, amazing tool. and most VMware products are quick and easy for the average user.
okay to meat of the topic. What would it take to install VMware natively withOUT a host operating system"
hear me out. I really love virtualization, and the option it gives to run ANY OS, but the drawback would be the HOST OS, I WISH there was a way to install a very simple OS that VMware creates or uses, to launch it's workstation. maybe call it "LiteStation". then with the same use of the workstation, load your OS, or OS's in many cases, being able to with such a low foot print might be able to open some doors for new technology.
now, the simple OS, it need limited capabilities, like driver install (preferably win drivers as they are the most common and most ready, but Linux drivers would be the most understandable), limited programs or possibly no program installs. but it need enough to use the full potential of the machine, so x64 would be required along with VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI + acceleration etc.... with no browsers there won't be a need to install much security, just force it to connect, but not use the network connection except to switch it over to bridge the OS's in VM-LS.
I'm sure this software is not out there yet. but think of the possibilities, it would become a 'virtual' boot-loader... running all OS's in a virtual environment, utilizing the max potential of multi-platform. I could see the diminish of speed as we allocate a % of the native hardware for use by the VM's, but still. No longer would dual booting be a norm, having to restart just to use a different OS, but booting both would increase. sure we have native, but sometimes I don't want to mess with Win/Lin/OS just to get to the one I want. and I feel the native OS limits the use of the virtual machine.
or maybe something like this is already running.... I just haven't found out.
Anyways thanks for the listening... who knows maybe VMware might want to implement something like LiteStation in their software arsenal....
Accipitor
Hi All,
I want to alter the "Power on after deployment" checkbox's default behavior, which is part of the last page of deployment. By default this box is not checked, is there a setting I can include in the OVF file to toggle its behavior? Is it even possible? I tried to google it but hard luck!
Thanks in Advance!
- Punit
Installed ovftool 3.5 on CentOS 5.9. Install went without any errors, says Installation Successful.
Running ovftool yields about 5 errors similar to:
/usr/lib/vmware-ovftool/ovftool.bin: /usr/lib64/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.9' not found (required by /usr/lib/vmware-ovftool/libvmomi.so)
CentOS 5.9 doesn't support GLIBC 3.4.
The ovftool documentation says it supports CentOS 5 and 6.
What's the problem here?
Hi Everyone,
I was trying to deploy a VM using the ovftool, I thought I would use the properties which are thrown from a "probe" of the OVA file.
ovftool http://server/files/builds/vpas/6.0.0/latest/vPAS-installer.ova
Properties:
ClassId: vami
Key: gateway
InstanceId vPAS
Category: Networking Properties
Label: Default Gateway
Type: string
Description: The default gateway address for this VM. Leave blank if DHCP is
desired.
ClassId: vami
Key: DNS
InstanceId vPAS
Category: Networking Properties
Label: DNS
Type: string
Description: The domain name servers for this VM (comma separated). Leave
blank if DHCP is desired.
ClassId: vami
Key: ip0
InstanceId vPAS
Category: Networking Properties
Label: Network 1 IP Address
Type: string
Description: The IP address for this interface. Leave blank if DHCP is
desired.
ClassId: vami
Key: netmask0
InstanceId vPAS
Category: Networking Properties
Label: Network 1 Netmask
Type: string
After having made sure that such properties exists from the probe, I tried to use them to give the VM a static IP post deployment, automatically.
ovftool --datastore="31_datastore" --acceptAllEulas --ipAllocationPolicy=fixedPolicy --name="vPAS_31_1" --powerOn --prop:ip0="172.16.121.115" --prop:netmask0="255.255.0.0" --prop:DNS="172.16.1.10" --prop:gateway="172.16.1.1" http://server/vpas/6.0.0/latest/vPAS-installer.ova vi://root:password@172.16.121.31/
Opening OVA source: http://server/files/builds/vpas/6.0.0/latest/vPAS-installer.ova
The manifest validates
Opening VI target: vi://root@172.16.121.31:443/
Deploying to VI: vi://root@172.16.121.31:443/
Transfer Completed
Powering on VM: vPAS_31_1
Warning:
- OVF property with key: 'DNS' does not exists.
- OVF property with key: 'gateway' does not exists.
- OVF property with key: 'ip0' does not exists.
- OVF property with key: 'netmask0' does not exists.
Completed successfully
Can someone please explain me whether this is a common problem ( from VMware ) or something I am doing wrong?
Thanks,
I'm trying to create an OVA file from an installed VM. If I try creating it with ovftool 3.5, it downloads everything completely then gives me the following error:
SHA1 digest of file https://172.31.68.10:443/ha-nfc/52cca89a-6cde-c7a7-0810-25ff2197d3d6/disk-1.iso does not match manifest
and then deletes the file(s) it generated.
I am using compress=0 and --noImageFiles so i don't get the install iso.
If I manually go into Edit Settings and remove the cdrom, then 3.5 creates the ova correctly.
If I use ovftool 2.0, it succeeds even without manually removing the cdrom iso.
I've seen posts where users get the same error I do when they are going ova/f to vm and the answer is to delete the manifest. Since all of the files are deleted after the error message, I don't have the option to delete the locally created manifest.
Is there a way to keep the files around even after a manifest error?
Does anyone know why ovftool 3.5 would fail in this case and 2.0 would word? Has there been some deprecation between the two of them?
Thanks,
Mike
Hi,
I have ovftool version (4.0.0).I am trying to create an ovf of a VM with extra config parameters. How do i specify the exportFlags command line option to allows the config parameters to translate from the VM to the ovf ? The documentation says I need to specify a extraconfig vSphere source .
This works fine : ovftool --allowAllExtraConfig --extraConfig:ethernet1.coalescingScheme=disabled --extraConfig:ethernet0.coalescingScheme=disabled
but this doesn't : ovftool --exportFlags=extraconfig
I don't want to add the key:value in the command line , rather pick up these from the VM I am using to create the ovf.
Is there something that I am missing out ?
Thanks in advance
Hi All,
Please help me as I am trying to deploy my OVF in an esxi and I get the following error
"Failed to deploy OVF package: File ds:///vmfs/volumes/546b400f-680d4bc0-11f7-001517d3b60c/_deviceImage-0.iso was not found"
I don't know if I am correct if i deduce that the export might have an iso image mounted on it and now it can't locate it?
I exported the OVF from esxi 5.5 and the destination esxi is also 5.5.
I have also attached the screenshot of the error mentioned above.
Please help
Appreciate all the help I could get and thank you in advance
Regards,
I am trying to convert a .ovf to a .vmx using the ovftool utility in terminal on OSX 10.6.8.
USING the --lax command, the result I get is as follows:
Any suggestions on how to fix this? It seems to be a problem with ovftool itself?
Hi,
trying to convert a "SUSEstudio" generated vmdk/vmx to our VI.
I have:
SLE_11.1JeOSPHR.x86_64-0.0.3.vmdk
SLE_11.1JeOSPHR.x86_64-0.0.3.vmx
christian@chrisw:/srv/ISO/JeOS/SLE_11.1JeOSPHR-0.0.3> ovftool SLE_11.1JeOSPHR.x86_64-0.0.3.vmx
Opening VMX source: SLE_11.1JeOSPHR.x86_64-0.0.3.vmx
OVF version: 1.0
Name: SLE_11.1JeOSPHR.x86_64-0.0.3
Download Size: Unknown
Deployment Sizes:
Flat disks: 4.04 GB
Sparse disks: Unknown
Networks:
Name: bridged
Description: The bridged network
Virtual Hardware:
Family: vmx-04
Disk Types: SCSI-lsilogic
Completed successfully
#####
When I try to convert it to vi (to correct datastore) I'm getting the mentioned error:
so what is the correct syntax ??
christian@chrisw:~/srv/ISO/JeOS/SLE_11.1JeOSPHR-0.0.3> ovftool -ds=CX300-OTC-02 -dm=thick SLE_11.1JeOSPHR.x86_64-0.0.3.vmx vi://i000156@vc.icw.int/DC%20OTC
Opening VMX source: SLE_11.1JeOSPHR.x86_64-0.0.3.vmx
Please enter login information for target vi://vc.icw.int/
Username: i000156
Password: ********
Error: Locator does not refer to an object: vi://i000156@vc.icw.int/DC%20OTC
DataCenter="DC OTC"
DataSource="CX300-OTC-2"
THX
Chris
Hi All,
I have just come across ovftool and was giving a try to it. I am fairly new to VMware world.
I have a .OVF which I exported using vSphere client 4.0. This .OVF comprises of 3 Suse Linux based virtual machines. i.e. I created a vApp on ESX (4.1) host, in this vApp I put my 3 SLES VMs and then exported it as OVF.
It has a total size of around 4.5GB.
Now I ran this command to compress this .OVF as well as gave an option to create deltadisks.
C:\> ovftool --compress=9 --makeDeltaDisks --skipManifestCheck MyVMCluster\MyVMCluster.ovf E:\
output:
{{{
The manifest does not validate
Generating delta disks for 2 disks (capacity 40960 MB)
Reading disks
Disk Transfer Completed
Determining optimal configuration for capacity group
Writing configuration to disk
Disk Transfer Completed
Completed successfully
}}}
Now when I checked my E:\ It had created a folder with the same name and put related files there. I saw a significant reduction in the new vmdk size. ( around 2.3GB now )
Now when I manually deploy this new ovf on vSphere client, it goes till certain %age and then flags an error:
{{{
Error uploading file to server ( E:\MyVMCluster\disk3.vmdk.gz ) Not a supported disk format ( Invalid sparse vmdk header )
}}}
and then it stops and everything rolledback.
Any pointers ?
Thanks
Nikunj