ovftool --noImageFiles --skipManifestGeneration vi://user@vcenter/Datastore/VMname/VMname.vmdk ./local.vmdk : Handles thin disks correctly, supports resumption, validates checksums. 4.3 Using SCP / WinSCP (Direct ESXi Access) Best for : Quick, command-line download when SSH is enabled on ESXi.
: ESXi SCP performance is moderate; not resumeable. 4.4 Using PowerCLI (Scripted) Best for : Automation or batch downloads.
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(export as OVF with embedded VMDK):
scp root@esxi-ip:/vmfs/volumes/Datastore1/VMname/VMname-flat.vmdk /local/path/ : Connect with SCP protocol → browse /vmfs/volumes/ → copy VMDK files. download vmdk file from datastore
ovftool --powerOffTarget vi://root@esxi-ip/DatastoreName/VMname ./output-directory/ (descriptor + flat):
(if not already): Host → Services → TSM-SSH → Start. download vmdk file from datastore
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