Convert a machine from VMware ESXi to VMware Server?

I have a VMware ESXi server, with various VMs.

I want to clone one of the VMs so I can run it locally on my MacBook (either using Parallels or VMware Player).

Is this possible?

carpii

Posted 2011-11-27T12:31:33.093

Reputation: 178

Answers

Yes, using vsphere client you can choose File->Export->Export OVF Template fill in the form and export the files to a local filesystem. This exported appliance should then load into your other virtualisation tools without any really issues. I've done this with CentOS6 (exported) and loaded it into VirtualBox.

user35787

Posted 2011-11-27T12:31:33.093

Reputation:

Thanks. I also found you can use the ESXI disk browser and just copy(download) the raw vmware files. You can then point parallels or vmware server to these and migrate the VM – carpii – 2012-01-04T16:03:59.813

You can also use VMWare converter for this purpose. We, however, don't use VMWare converter, we take a mondo backup of the virtual machine and restore it locally, and then use VMWare Workstation or Player to work on this virtual machine. Exporting to OVF template also is one of the solutions as already stated.

Manoj Agarwal

Posted 2011-11-27T12:31:33.093

Reputation: 203