Is it possible to create a VM Template on ESXi? I installed a Linux server on ESXi and I want to use this as a template.
4 Answers
Yes and it is simple and you can do it even without vCenter. Open vSphere Client
, select your VM (it has to be powered off), go to File->Export->Export OVF Template...
and save it to your local drive. When you ready to create VM from it just do it through File->Deploy OVF Template
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On ESXi? Yes.
On a standalone, free-license ESXi device? No. You need vSphere Server (nee Virtual Center) to create templates.
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It isn´t a free Version, we have installed a "vSphere 4 Essentials" with a valid license. Why it dosn´t work?– MarcusMay 4, 2011 at 19:41
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@Marcus Are you connecting directly to the device, or through a vCenter server? The option should be available when connected to vCenter. May 4, 2011 at 20:30
On the free ESXi you can enable Tech Support Mode and then once that is enabled you can connect to the host via SSH and use:
vmkfstools -i source.vmdk dest.vmdk -d thin
Then you can create a new VM using the file just created as an "Existing Disk".
It's not as convenient as as a Template, but it's better than nothing...
Yes you can.
In Virutal Center right click on the Virtual Machine and select Template -> Convert to Template.
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That´s the Point, there isn´t "Teamplate" Option. I use vSphere 4.1 Client to access the VMs.– MarcusMay 4, 2011 at 17:58
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This assumes that you have a vCenter server. This isn't available without a vCenter server.– mrdennyMay 4, 2011 at 19:05
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2The question was asked with absolutely no additional information or context. Better questions typically result in better answers :-) May 4, 2011 at 19:20