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installation File
Hi,
after I install the vmware client " guest OS" where i can find the .vmx file inorder to import it again to another machine with no need to install the OS again. is there a way to export? i cant find it in C drive. moreover, i noticed that after i install the VM or OS i can expand or increase the size of the hardisk but i cant decrease it, is it right?
after I install the vmware client " guest OS" where i can find the .vmx file inorder to import it again to another machine with no need to install the OS again. is there a way to export? i cant find it in C drive. moreover, i noticed that after i install the VM or OS i can expand or increase the size of the hardisk but i cant decrease it, is it right?
What VMware platform are you using? ESXi or ESX 3.5, Server (2 or 1.0.x), or Workstation 6.5?
Each one has a different way of finding the folder.
You can also use VMware Converter (free - http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/) to copy it to another location.
ESX
Access your server through a VI client, click on the host that has your VMs, click the Summary tab, and then under the Resources section, right click the datastore and click Browse Datastore...
On the right column, select the VMs to download, right click and select Download...
Choose the location to store your VM.
Note: this method will only allow the VMs to run on another ESX server. For cross platform (VMware server, VMware workstation), you would need to use VMware converter.
VMS and VMware workstation typically store you VMs on C:\Virtual Machines unless this was changed at the initial setup. You can simply search your PC for the .vmx extension and that should lead you to where they are located.
Each one has a different way of finding the folder.
You can also use VMware Converter (free - http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/) to copy it to another location.
ESX
Access your server through a VI client, click on the host that has your VMs, click the Summary tab, and then under the Resources section, right click the datastore and click Browse Datastore...
On the right column, select the VMs to download, right click and select Download...
Choose the location to store your VM.
Note: this method will only allow the VMs to run on another ESX server. For cross platform (VMware server, VMware workstation), you would need to use VMware converter.
VMS and VMware workstation typically store you VMs on C:\Virtual Machines unless this was changed at the initial setup. You can simply search your PC for the .vmx extension and that should lead you to where they are located.
ASKER
Im using vmware Exi3.5
I did the steps u mentioned but to import the virtual appliance i should have file .ovf file and infact i have files .vmx when i downloaded the files. how i can import the OS to another VM in the same server and how i can import it to another server, i believe that it shouuld be same way. help plz
I did the steps u mentioned but to import the virtual appliance i should have file .ovf file and infact i have files .vmx when i downloaded the files. how i can import the OS to another VM in the same server and how i can import it to another server, i believe that it shouuld be same way. help plz
Instructions directly from: http://pubs.vmware.com/vi3i_i35/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm
Exporting a Virtual Machine
You can export a virtual machine to OVF format to make it available to other users to import into their inventory.
To export a virtual machine
1 In the VI Client inventory, select the virtual machine you want to export.
2 Choose File > Virtual Appliance > Export.
3 The Export VM dialog box is displayed.
4 Enter a name for the exported appliance.
5 Enter the location where you want to store the exported appliance in the Directory text box, or browse to the location.
6 If you want to create a new folder for the appliance, select the Create folder for virtual machine check box.
7 (Optional) Enter a description of the virtual machine in the Description text box.
By default, the text from the Notes pane on the virtual machines Summary tab appears in this text box.
8 Click OK.
The progress of the export task is displayed in the VI Client Status panel.
If you're copying from one ESX server to another, use VMware Converter on a Windows XP, Vista, or Server machine to do the migration.
If you have VirtualCenter Foundation, Standard, or Enterprise, then you can create VM templates and Clones so you can deploy them on existing ESX servers.
If you don't have VirtualCenter, then VM templates and Clones aren't available. However, you can go into the datastore (Click on the VM, Click Summary tab, Double-click datastore), create a new folder, and then copy and paste the contents of the VM you want to clone to that folder. It be easier just to stick with using VMware Converter for doing the cloning and migration between ESX servers.
Alternatively, you can create a new virtual machine with no hard drives. Go into the data store and copy the .vmdk file from the VM you've installed the guest OS on to this VM's folder.
Exporting a Virtual Machine
You can export a virtual machine to OVF format to make it available to other users to import into their inventory.
To export a virtual machine
1 In the VI Client inventory, select the virtual machine you want to export.
2 Choose File > Virtual Appliance > Export.
3 The Export VM dialog box is displayed.
4 Enter a name for the exported appliance.
5 Enter the location where you want to store the exported appliance in the Directory text box, or browse to the location.
6 If you want to create a new folder for the appliance, select the Create folder for virtual machine check box.
7 (Optional) Enter a description of the virtual machine in the Description text box.
By default, the text from the Notes pane on the virtual machines Summary tab appears in this text box.
8 Click OK.
The progress of the export task is displayed in the VI Client Status panel.
If you're copying from one ESX server to another, use VMware Converter on a Windows XP, Vista, or Server machine to do the migration.
If you have VirtualCenter Foundation, Standard, or Enterprise, then you can create VM templates and Clones so you can deploy them on existing ESX servers.
If you don't have VirtualCenter, then VM templates and Clones aren't available. However, you can go into the datastore (Click on the VM, Click Summary tab, Double-click datastore), create a new folder, and then copy and paste the contents of the VM you want to clone to that folder. It be easier just to stick with using VMware Converter for doing the cloning and migration between ESX servers.
Alternatively, you can create a new virtual machine with no hard drives. Go into the data store and copy the .vmdk file from the VM you've installed the guest OS on to this VM's folder.
ASKER
thank you aldanch, it was veryyy helpful, I installed it and made a clone with no problems except an alarms warning appeared at the first 15 mins when powered on the VM ware workstation then it vanished. kindly check the attached
vm-alarms.JPG
vm-alarms.JPG
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You can increase or decrease th VM disk size with vmware-vdiskmanager.To show that in the windows you might need to use 3rdparty tools if its a system partittion otherwise you can use diskpart.