---
title: "OVF Tool (EN)"
description: "Find out how to export or import virtual machines using the OVF Tool"
url: https://docs.ovhcloud.com/es/guides/hosted-private-cloud/powered-by-vmware/ovf-tool
lang: es
lastUpdated: 2022-01-31
---
# OVF Tool (EN)

## Objective

[OVFTOOL](https://developer.broadcom.com/tools/open-virtualization-format-ovf-tool/latest) is an **export/import** tool for VMs using the OVF format (compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac).

**This guide offers a step by step study case on how to use this tool.**

## Requirements

- Being an administrative contact of your [Hosted Private Cloud infrastructure](https://www.ovhcloud.com/es-es/enterprise/products/hosted-private-cloud/) to receive login credentials
- A user account with access to vSphere (created in the <ManagerLink to="/">OVHcloud Control Panel</ManagerLink>)

## Instructions

We will use the OVFTOOL v4.0 under **Linux Debian**.

![OVF Tool](/images/hosted-private-cloud/powered-by-vmware/ovf-tool/ovftool.png)
Use the `ovftool --help` command to see the application help file and `ovftool --help examples` for examples.

![OVF Tool](/images/hosted-private-cloud/powered-by-vmware/ovf-tool/ovftool2.png)
We will proceed with an export of an **.ovf** virtual machine in pcc-37-187-228-180.ovh.com called SQL3.

Before the export, shut the VM down using the `vftool powerOffSource` command as shown below.

![OVF Tool](/images/hosted-private-cloud/powered-by-vmware/ovf-tool/ovftool5.png)
In the vCenter recent tasks, you can see the VM being shut.

We can now export the VM. Type in the following command:

`ovftool vi://user:password@Dedicatedcloud/datacentre/vm/vmname /destination`

![OVF Tool](/images/hosted-private-cloud/powered-by-vmware/ovf-tool/ovftool6.png)
Export happens and is successful.

![OVF Tool](/images/hosted-private-cloud/powered-by-vmware/ovf-tool/ovftool7.png)
To convert an .OVF file into a .VMX one, use the `ovftool -tt=vmx file.ovf /destination/` command.

![OVF Tool](/images/hosted-private-cloud/powered-by-vmware/ovf-tool/ovftool8.png)
![OVF Tool](/images/hosted-private-cloud/powered-by-vmware/ovf-tool/ovftool9.png)
To import the VM in your infrastructure, you need to indicate the destination datastore `ovftool -ds=datastore file.ovf`

![OVF Tool](/images/hosted-private-cloud/powered-by-vmware/ovf-tool/ovftool11.png)
The virtual machine is now deployed in your environment.

Finally, migrating SQL3 to a new Hosted Private Cloud (transfer does not require a third party machine).

![OVF Tool](/images/hosted-private-cloud/powered-by-vmware/ovf-tool/ovftool14.png)
## Go further

Join our community of users on [https://community.ovh.com/en/](https://community.ovh.com/en/).