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scchan
Contributor
Contributor

(Workstation 8) export to OVF - "Export failed: Failed to open disk: <name>.vmdk"

Hi All,

I am still using the VMware Workstation 8 and try to export a VM to OVF. However, I got the error: "Export failed: Failed to open disk: <name>.vmdk". I have performed defragment of the disk and change some configurations; such independent, persistent, etc but the error still exist without any progress.

The VM can be used without any problem. However, I can't export this VM. Any help?

Regards,

Anthony


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scchan
Contributor
Contributor

More information see whether there are any help for me:

- ovftool -v

VMware ovftool 3.0.1 (build-878150)

- Errors:

\> ovftool <sourcename>.vmx  <targetname>.ovf

Opening VMX source: <sourcename>.vmx

Error: Failed to open disk: <sourcedisk>.vmdk

Completed with errors

- tried:

\> vmware-vdiskmanager -k <sourcedisk>.vmdk

\> vmware-vdiskmanager -d <sourcedisk>.vmdk

etc

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continuum
Immortal
Immortal

it would help if you give us some details about the vmdk you have

the vdiskmanager command to create a vmdk such as they are used by OVA/OVF is
vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -r source.vmdk -t 5 target.vmdk

just curious - why do you want to use OVF/OVA at all ?
I do not know any usage scenario that can not be solved in a more reliable way with the regular tools


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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scchan
Contributor
Contributor

Yes, the command: "vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -r source.vmdk -t 5 target.vmdk" works ok that it produces a file target.vmdk smaller in size. The target.vmdk should be compressed type 5 vmdk disk.

I use the ovftool in order to export the VM into the ovf format in order to move the VM from the vmware workstation to ESXi.

Moreover, the VMware workstation can have server connection to the ESXi. Then, I drag and drop the VM from the workstation to the ESXi that I got the same error message: "Error: Failed to open disk: <source>.vmdk"

However, other VMs can be exported to OVF format or moved between workstation and ESXi but only this particular VM. Any further information that I can provide for your investigation can be requested to me. Thank you.

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scchan
Contributor
Contributor

Now, I used the vCenter Converter to migrate the VM from the workstation to ESXi 5 and the migration is successful. On the ESXi side, I tried to export the VM to OVF format and completed successful. The OVF package was also successful to be deployed to another ESXi.

However, on the workstation side, the export to OVF is still failed.

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