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vmwarevirtualization

How do you use completely free software to create ovf files for VMware ESXi?


Ok, so let's say that I want to try virtualization in my environment. I want to use ESXi to do that because it is free. I can use the install disk and setup a box to run the ESXi Host.

I'm not sure if the VMware Infrastructure Client is free for one thing. You can use it to attach an ovf file (a packaged VM). The problem I had is creating an ovf file that worked. The free converter didn't do the trick.

Does anyone have any tips or guidelines?


Solution

  • Sadly, no, the VMware client is not free:

    "Further, managing a VMware ESXi host with VMware vCenter Server requires a VMware vCenter Server Agent for each host, only available with the purchase of a VMware Infrastructure license (Foundation, Standard, or Enterprise)."

    From this VMware page:

    http://www.vmware.com/products/esxi/uses.html