Failed to open OVF descriptor

[vmware_user14]

Hi All,

I am trying to convert vmdk file to ovf format using command line. I am using the below command:

# ovftool my_vm.vmdk new.ovf

   Opening OVF source: my_vmdk.vmdk

   Error: Failed to open OVF descriptor

   Completed with errors

Not sure whats wrong in this command. Please help!

Thanks!

[Anjani_Kumar]

must follow below things before running the ovf tool.

1. Open tool wiht "Run As Administrator".

2. Provide the full path for your vm and output file.

e.g. >ovftool c:\vm\myVM.vmx c:\OVF\myVM.ovf

Follow the blog.

Terremark Worldwide

[vmware_user14]

Sorry I didn't specify earlier that I am trying the above command on Linux environment.

[Anjani_Kumar]

try it with windows or mac if you can. and see if it works.

[vmware_user14]

Hi,

As suggested, I followed the same steps mentioned above on windows system.

Unfortunately, it gives same error as Linux

C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware OVF Tool> ovftool.exe d:\myVM.vmdk d:\myVM.ovf

Opening OVF source: d:\myVM.vmdk

Error: Failed to open OVF descriptor

Completed with errors

Thanks!

[Anjani_Kumar]

seems like your ovf descriptor file is missing that is the reason for this erro.

Did you tried creating the ovf via using wokrstation or esxi. ?

[vmware_user14]

Using ESX it works. I am basically trying to automate file conversion process from vmdk to ovf format using ovftool.

Any idea how ovf descriptor file can be created?

It would be of great help if you can share some other possible ways to do this!

Thanks!

[Anjani_Kumar]

The VMDK file is the actual virtual disk, an ovf file is just a settings file (plain text), that VMWare products (like ESXi Server) and other virtualization software (like Virtualbox) can use when importing the VM.

You may have an existing settings file (like a .vmx) which you can convert into ovf format using VMware's tool 'ovftool': http://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/vsphere/automationtools/ovf

There's quite a lot of options, which are detailed here in the user guide:http://www.vmware.com/support/developer/ovf/ovf20/ovftool_201_userguide.pdf

[anand_punjabi]

Thanks. It worked for me