ovftool import large ova file failed

[teeraw]

I used ovftool for import OVA file via SSH to ESXi, in case of small-meduim (500MB-8GB) work fined.

But yesterday, I import OVA file with 14GB, its error about Operation was canceled, but I'm sure that no one kill them.

./ovftool --noSSLVerify --diskMode=thin /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/OVF/my-linux.ova vi://localhost

Opening OVA source: /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/OVF/OpenKM-PorDev7.ova
Enter login information for target vi://127.0.0.1/
Username: root
Password: ********
Opening VI target: vi://root@127.0.0.1:443/
Error: Operation was canceled

Completed with errors

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Environment:

• ovftool 4.2.0 (build-5965791)
• ESX: 6.7.0
• OVA (Mint Linux 14GB, after deployed about 30GB)

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How can I resolve this issue? (I choose to do this way to import OVA, because large file will error in UI due to our network.)

[Maks Roshchyna]

Try with WinSCP, should be fine

[teeraw]

What are steps of import OVA using WinSCP?

[teeraw]

My problem has been solved. This problem root cause came from OVF file inside OVA package has some parameter that's not compatible to my ESXi 6.7 server. (Error on ovftool or ESXi web console is not specific on this issue. But I guess from VM workstation error message when I import into VM workstation )

1) Extract OVA Package into separated files

tar -xvf myvm.ova

Remark: After extract will got files: .ovf, .mf, .vmdk

2) Modify .ovf file

<vssd:VirtualSystemType>virtualbox-2.2</vssd:VirtualSystemType>
-- Changed to --
<vssd:VirtualSystemType>vmx-14</vssd:VirtualSystemType>

3) Re-import but input file will be .ovf instead of .ova (Required --skipManifestCheck because we have modified .ovf inside)

ovftool --noSSLVerify --skipManifestCheck --X:logToConsole --diskMode=thin /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/OVF/myvm.ovf vi://localhost