Converting non-VMware-based VMs for import

Some OVA and OVF images aren’t VMware-based and can’t be directly imported into Skytap. For example, VirtualBox VMs aren’t VMware-based, because they were not exported from a VMware hypervisor (VMware Server, VMware Workstation, VMware ESX, etc.).

To import non-VMware OVAs and OVFs into Skytap, convert them using VMware vCenter Converter.

VMware vCenter Converter is a free VMware utility that edits and converts your virtual machine images outside of Skytap. For more information about VMware vCenter Converter, see the VMware product documentation.

Instructions

To convert a non-VMware OVA or OVF to a VMware-based format

From the host machine:

  1. If the VM is an OVF file, first convert it to VMX format. For instructions, see Converting OVF files to VMX for use with VMware Converter.
  2. Download and install VMware vCenter Converter on your local machine.

    Download VMware vCenter Converter at https://www.vmware.com/products/converter.html.

  3. Open VMware vCenter Converter.
  4. Click Convert Machine.
  5. Under Source Type, select VMware Workstation or other VMware virtual machine. Choose the location of the VMX or OVA file. Click Next.
  6. Under Select destination type, select VMware Workstation or other VMware virtual machine.
  7. Under Select VMware product, select VMware Workstation 11.0.
  8. Enter a name for your VM in the Name field.
  9. Select a destination location for the converted file. Click Next.
  10. To accept the default options, click Next.
  11. On the summary page, verify the settings.
  12. Click Finish to begin the conversion process. Depending on the size of the VM, the conversion process can take more than an hour to complete.
  13. Import the converted VM into Skytap. For instructions, see Importing VMs into Skytap.