How to copy files from USB Flash Disk to ESXi 5 server

virtualizationvmware-esxi

Hi I am new to ESXi world. I installed ESXi 5.0 server and installed also client version to my desktop. I need to copy a virtual machine 400 GB from USB drive to ESXi server but I could'nt find how to do it from client. I enabled SSH access. I entered the machine but fdisk -l do not work. How can I do it ? There is no virtual machine exists currently I want copy VM to local disk. Thanks

Best Answer

If your VM is in ovf format you can use the vsphere client to import it into your ESXi using File->Deploy OVF Template ... then follow the prompts on the pop up window.

If it's not in OVF format you can upload it to a datastore and then try to Add it to Inventory

In vSphere Client select the Summary Tab for the main server.

On the Resources->Storage panel right click on a device and select Browse datastore.

You can then use the datastore browser to create a folder

Create a folder

to upload files to

Uplaod Files

Select the files to upload and follow the prompts.

Once the files are uploaded you may be able to right click on them and select Add to Inventory.