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There are several options for VMware software.
We do not support OVA import to ESXi directly or via vCenter using a browser.
We require the VMware OVF Tool if importing to ESXi directly or via vCenter:
- https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/ovf/
- We assume you have it installed and know where it is.
1. Importing the OVA file directly to ESXi using VMware ovftool
You can import the OVA file directly into ESXi using VMware ovftool, from the PC or server you run ovftool.
Remember to set the Virtual Machine name you like, the datastore you want, the network you want, and point it at the server you want to deploy to.
Run the command like this:
ovftool --name="NMIS9" -dm="thin" -ds=datastore_name-number -nw="network_name-number" Opmantek-20200708-VM9-Centos7.2003-3-64bit.ova vi://user:escaped_password@host_ip_address |
2. Importing the OVA file to an ESXi Datacenter via vCenter using VMware ovftool
- Numerous attempts were made to import this OVA using the VMware vSphere HTML5 Client, with Chrome, Chromium and Firefox as browser:
- Every attempt timed out.
- We have yet to experience a failed import of this OVF using VMware commandline tool ovftool:
- For this reason VMware commandline tool ovftool is recommended for importing OVAs' via VMware vCenter
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Determine the Datacenter name: Determine the Datacenter available options: Determine the Datacenter host IP or FQDN: Import OpmantekImport Opmantek-20200708-VM9-Centos7.2003-3-64bit.ova which is in the current directory, in this example using vSphere option --diskMode=thin: |
3.
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Importing the OVA using a VMware Desktop Application: VMware Fusion (for Mac), VMware Workstation Pro or VMware Workstation Player
These VMware Desktop products will import directly from an OVF/OVA file so you can just start up the software and select "File → Open" and select the OVA file for import.
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