Introduction to the Import / Export Function

Content / Solution:

The Cloud Software allows to you transfer Client Images in and out of the system through the Open Virtualization Format (OVF). The OVF format allows you to move images between your own VMware environment and the Cloud environment, so long as those images meet the current Cloud specifications. For more information on these specifications, see the prerequisites in this article: How to Import an OVF Package as a Client Image

The Import and Export functions work through a secure FTPS staging area, so you will also need client software that allows you to transfer files through the FTPS protocol to the staging area . There is a separate FTPS staging area for each Geographic Region which is used for all locations within that Geographic Region. A quick comparison of FTP clients, including a table showing which clients support the FTPS (FTP over SSL) protocol is available on Wikipedia here: Comparison of FTP client software. 

There are detailed articles on each aspect of the Import/Export process, but here is an overview with the link to documentation about the process.

IMPORT IMAGE

1. First ensure that the image you wish to import meets the requirements.
2. Convert your image to OVF format using vSphere's native functionality or the Open Virtualization Format Tool.
3. Upload the OVF files (OVF, MF, and VMDKs) to the appropriate FTPS staging area. For more details on this step, see How to Access your Client Image Import and Export OVF Package Staging Folder.
   •  NOTE: If you are not sure whether the image meets the specifications, you can upload just the small OVF and MF files initially. This will allow you to perform rapid validation of their contents prior to making the commitment of uploading the much larger VMDK file(s). More details are included in the step below.
4. Trigger the Import process from the Admin UI or API. For more details on the Admin UI process, see How to Import an OVF Package as a Client Image. The import process is a long-running process. The Admin UI will provide a progress window on the imported image. The API provides this information through the "List Client Image Imports in Progress" function.

5. When complete, the image will appear as a Client Image.

   OVF Files Are Deleted from FTPS Server 14 Days after Upload

   CloudControl will enforce the 14 day expiration windows based on the time the file is uploaded to the FTPS server. 

EXPORT IMAGE  

1. Choose the Image you wish to Export and trigger the Export process. The Admin UI process is described at How to Export a Client Image to an OVF Package
2. Pick up the resulting files from the FTPS server in the appropriate Geographic Region when complete. Note you have 14 days from the date the OVF export completes to download the exported Image from the system once the Export is complete. After that, the files are automatically deleted.