Convert VMs: VirtualBox to VMware & VMware to VirtualBox
Migrating Virtual Machines Between Platforms
The prospect of switching to a different virtual machine (VM) application can seem daunting. If your VMs are already configured to your preferences, a complete reinstallation isn't always necessary – existing virtual machines can often be migrated.
While VirtualBox and VMware employ distinct VM formats, both platforms acknowledge the widely supported Open Virtualization Format (OVF). Converting your current VM to OVF or OVA allows for import into alternative VM software.
OVF/OVA Compatibility Considerations
However, seamless migration isn't always guaranteed. Subtle discrepancies in how VirtualBox and VMware implement the OVA/OVF standards can lead to compatibility issues.
These implementation differences can sometimes prevent a successful import. In such cases, a fresh installation of the guest operating system within the new VM environment may be required.
Therefore, while conversion is a viable first step, be prepared for the possibility of needing to reinstall your virtual machine’s operating system from the original source.
Successfully migrating VMs relies on the compatibility between the source and destination platforms’ interpretation of the OVF/OVA specifications.
Converting Virtual Machines from VirtualBox to VMware
Prior to migrating a virtual machine from VirtualBox to the VMware environment, it is essential to verify that the virtual machine is fully “powered off” within VirtualBox. A suspended state is not sufficient; the machine must be properly shut down.
Should the virtual machine be in a suspended condition, initiate its launch and then proceed with a complete shutdown.
Exporting the Virtual Machine
Within the VirtualBox interface, navigate to the File menu and select the “Export Appliance” option. This initiates the export process.
Choose the specific virtual machine you intend to export. Then, designate a suitable location on your system to save the exported file.
VirtualBox will generate an Open Virtualization Format Archive (OVA) file. This file is designed for compatibility with VMware’s import functionality.
The duration of this process is directly related to the size of the virtual machine’s disk image; larger disks will naturally take longer to export.
Importing into VMware
To import the created OVA file into VMware, select the “Open a Virtual Machine” option. This will prompt you to browse your file system.
Due to inherent differences between VirtualBox and VMware, a warning message may appear, indicating that the file “did not pass OVF specification performance.”
Selecting “Retry” will typically allow the virtual machine to import successfully and operate as expected.
Once the import is complete, you can start the virtual machine within VMware. It is recommended to uninstall the VirtualBox Guest Additions from within the virtual machine’s Control Panel.
Subsequently, install the VMware Tools using the virtual machine’s menu options to optimize performance and integration.
Converting Virtual Machines from VMware to VirtualBox
Prior to initiating a virtual machine migration from VMware to VirtualBox, it is essential to verify that the machine is fully “powered off” within the VMware environment. A suspended state is not sufficient; the virtual machine must be properly shut down.
Should the machine be in a suspended state, launch it and then execute a complete shutdown procedure.
The next step involves navigating to the directory containing the OVFTool. For users of VMware Player, this is typically located at C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Player\OVFTool.
Within the OVFTool folder, hold down the Shift key, right-click in an empty space, and select the option to open a command window at that location.
To begin the conversion, execute the ovftool command using the following syntax:
ovftool source.vmx export.ovf
As an illustration, if the virtual machine resides at C:\Users\NAME\Documents\Virtual Machines\Windows 7 x64\Windows 7 x64.vmx and you wish to create an OVF file named export.ovf at C:\Users\NAME\, the command would be:
ovftool “C:\Users\NAME\Documents\Virtual Machines\Windows 7 x64\Windows 7 x64.vmx” C:\Users\NAME\export.ovf
An error message indicating “failed to open disk” often signifies that the virtual machine is still running or was not shut down correctly. Ensure the virtual machine is booted and then properly shut down.
Upon completion of the conversion process, the resulting .ovf file can be imported into VirtualBox. This is achieved through the “Import Appliance” option found within the File menu.
Following the import, initiate the virtual machine. Then, VMware Tools should be uninstalled, and VirtualBox Guest Additions installed in its place.