---
title: "Working with virtual machines using VMware OVF Tool"
sidebar_label: "VMware OVF Tool"
sidebar_position: 8
description: "How to work with virtual machines using the VMware OVF Tool utility: import a virtual machine, convert it to an OVF template, and vice versa"
---

import Formbricks from '@theme/MDXComponents/Formbricks'
import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs'
import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem'
import {TabItemLabel} from '@selectel/docux/components'

# Working with virtual machines using VMware OVF Tool

VMware Cloud Director® supports importing virtual machines only in `.ovf` /`.ova` formats. The VMware OVF Tool utility allows you to convert virtual machines to `.ovf` (Open Virtualization Format) templates and vice versa. For more information on working with the utility, see the [OVF Tool User's Guide](https://developer.vmware.com/docs/11747/ovf-tool-user-s-guide) in the VMware documentation.

You can download the utility from the [Broadcom website](https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vsphere/vsphere-sdks-tools/7-0/ovf-tool-user-s-guide.html).

## Import a virtual machine into Cloud Director \{#import-vm-to-cloud-director}

1. Open the directory containing OVF Tool.
2. Import the virtual machine into Cloud Director:

   ```bash
   ovftool.exe "<path_ovf>"
   "vcloud://<login>:<password>@<vcd>?org=<organization>&vdc=<s-xxxx>&catalog=<datastore>&vapp=<my_vapp>"
   ```

   Specify:

   * `<path_ovf>` — path to the `.ovf` template;
   * `<login>` — login for Cloud Director access;
   * `<password>` — password for Cloud Director access;
   * `<vcd>` — virtual data center address:

     * Saint Petersburg — `vcd.selectel.ru`
     * Moscow — `vcd-msk.selectel.ru`
   * `<organization>` — organization name, can be viewed in Cloud Director in the **Administration** → **General** tab;
   * `<s-xxxx>` — organization name, which can be viewed in the Cloud Director address bar or in the [control panel](https://my.selectel.ru/) under **Cloud powered by VMware** in the list of organizations; ;
   * `<datastore>` — virtual catalog; ;
   * `<my_vapp>` — name for the imported vApp.

## Convert a virtual machine to an OVF template \{#convert-vm-to-ovf-template}

1. Open the directory containing OVF Tool.

   ```bash
   d <path_catalog>
   ```

   Specify `<path_catalog>` — path to the catalog.

2. Convert the virtual machine to an OVF template:

   <Tabs queryString="os-vm-to-ovf">
     <TabItem value="windows" default>
       <TabItemLabel>
         Windows
       </TabItemLabel>

       ```bash
       ovftool.exe "<path_vm>" "<path_ovf>"
       ```

       Specify:

       * `<path_vm>` — path to the virtual machine configuration file;
       * `<path_ovf>` — path to the directory for the `.ovf` template.
     </TabItem>

     <TabItem value="linux">
       <TabItemLabel>
         Linux
       </TabItemLabel>

       ```bash
       ~/MyVM$ ovftool
       ```
     </TabItem>
   </Tabs>

## Convert an OVF template to a virtual machine \{#convert-ovf-template-to-virtual-machine}

1. Open the directory containing OVF Tool.
2. Convert the virtual machine to an OVF template:

   <Tabs queryString="os-ovf-to-vm">
     <TabItem value="windows" default>
       <TabItemLabel>
         Windows
       </TabItemLabel>

       ```bash
       ovftool.exe "<path_ovf>" "<path_vm>"
       ```

       Specify:

       * `<path_ovf>` — path to the `.ovf` template;
       * `<path_vm>` — path to the directory for the virtual machine.
     </TabItem>

     <TabItem value="linux">
       <TabItemLabel>
         Linux
       </TabItemLabel>

       ```bash
       ~/MyVM$ ovftool <./path_ova> <./path_vm>
       ```

       Specify:

       * `<./path_ova>` — path to the `.ova` template;
       * `<./path_vm>` — path to the directory for the virtual machine.
     </TabItem>
   </Tabs>

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