The OVF template can also be used to export a captured state of the VM in a compressed and sparse format. The procedure to export an OVF template requires that the VM is powered off before proceeding:
- From the vSphere Client, right-click on the VM to export and select the Template | Export OVF Template option.
- Specify the virtual machine name and, optionally, an annotation that can be useful to identify the VM configuration better. If you need to include additional information or configurations, such as BIOS UUID or MAC addresses, check Enable Advanced Options. Be careful if you enable these options because the portability will be limited. Click OK to proceed with the export.
- Specify where to save each file associated with the template.
You can use OVF Export to transport your virtual machines between different environments or for cloud migrations. The OVF file has a generic structure so different service providers can deploy virtual machines exported as OVF appliances.