I'm publishing this question here after one week research how to fix this error. I tried everything which I found on vm-help and vmware community forums. Unfortunately can't find solution for this problem.

I have Win2003 server VMimage 10G, which I convert into virtual appliance. I removed all snapshots and made clean shoot down of image before converting. After converting I change initial configuration in configuration file in image folder to have possibility to work with this image on last VI client ( you have to change version in some line , I found it on VM help ) it was related to different compatibility error.

Virtual Appliance == 10 GBt, Converted with VMWare Workstation ( last release )

1) When I tried to work directly from VI Client , upload image through wizard , it starting uploading process but it taking forever ( I keep this process 24 hours , just to be sure that process hanged) .
2) I tried to upload directly from VMWare Workstation trough Import/Export wizard, result same. taking forever.
3) Then I tried upload directly from VI Client, from Summary Tab directly on host and then I got I/O Error.
I want mention that when file less then 1 GBt it uploading without problems, but larger then 1 GBt it giving I/O Error Occurred .
Based on recommendations from forums I disable USB support on host in BIOS. I re-import Image to Virtual Appliance version 1. But all this steps not helped.

If somebody had this resolved could you please help to me, or point me in right direction.

Host 32 bit,Motherboard = Asus P4P800, Processor = Intell P4 3GHz, Network Card = Intell Pro 1000, . ESX 3.5. Installation with IDE support. Onboard network and USB disabled in Bios.

Client 64 Bit, Windows Server 2008 64, Network Chip Broadcom 1Gbt ( integrated into Asus P5Pro motherboard. ) VI Client , last version.

Network 1Gbt + , firewall disabled everywhere.

Have you tried VMware Converter or WinSCP to copy the VMDK?

No, I did not tried VMConverter, but I tried implemented feature in WMWorkstation. I think that this is the same module.
I did not tried the WinSCP. Will try it today, but actually, I'm trying to find the reason why I can't do this. Because nobody found reason actually, all just give up.
I'll try the FastSCP

Have you check /var/log/messages for any errors?

1) When I'm upload vmdk file in datastore, then in VI m when I'm trying to connect this disc, like existed one, I don't see it in VI Datastore Browser.
2) when I'm attempting upload files?folders via VI Datastore Browser, I'm getting error ( I/O Error... ) . I check log - Failed to sending response to the client : Broken Pipe.

I'm missing something?

Have you had a read in this thread - http://communities.vmware.com/thread/152376.

Yes, of course, I check it in first line. and I cheked all other sources, I spent 2 weeks for research before ask help.

I'd like to install version 4.0 but I have 32 bit hardware on host and 64 on VI. I used FastSCP, and upload file once there, but [roblem with FastSCP is that it working only once after rebooting, then it is raising error, and you need to reboot VI machine again. It is known bug .

With WinSCP the speed is so horroble ( even with all recomended configurations like "No Compressions" " BlowFish" etc, but for file 4 G, it taking 2 hours. And I have 1000 network !
Probably I'll do FTP . But the issue still exist. And my question is.

1) Can you provide link to compartability chart for VMWare image preparation for ESXi 3.5, which options should I choose to create proper image and virtual applaince which will be valid for ESXi 3.5.

2) Which version of converter should I download, and which parameters should I choose to create proper image and virtual applaince which will be valid for ESXi 3.5.

As I mention before, I upload vmdk disc on datastore and the trying to connect this disk to exisiting VM which I create on host, but when I'm trying to connect this vmdk VI, VI can't recognise it. But extention is vmdk and it should be available to connect.

I'm thinking that I'm missing something.

For WinSCP see if it makes a different to set the encryption order to have Blowfish first.



If you manually copy the vmdk to the host this is the process to use.

1) Create a new VM on the host with the specs you want.
2) Edit the VM and remove the virtual HD for it (make sure you choose to delete the file).
3) Start winscp and connect to your host (select SCP as the connection type).
4) You'll copy the file(s) to /vmfs/volumes/<datastorename>
5) With the vCLI or at the console you vmkfstools to copy the VMDK to the correct location. The syntax will be vmkfstools -l /vmfs/volumes/<datastore>/<file>.vmdk /vmfs/volumes/<datastore>/<vm folder>/<file>.vmdk.
If you have a pair of vmdk files as I mentioned before you just run the command on the .vmdk and the flat.vmdk will be taken care of.
6) Edit the VM and add a new HD. Use the existing file option.

It sounds like you have a single vmdk file and the vmkfstools will take care of converting that to the correct ESXi format (the file will be split into 2 - one vmdk file (you can open it with vi) and one flat.vmdk file (which contains the HD data).

I would start with the latest version of Convertor and just follow the wizard through. It'll take care of the settings for you.

thank you for answer,
I mention early that changing encription to BlowFish on WinSCP , d't help, it is unbeliveble slow. FastSCP doing this in 4 minutes, WinSPC in 3 hours.

Sorry for questiong, where I need to install vCLI ?
Which tools do I need to use for proper work with ESXi, I'm using VI.
Which setting do I need to use to prepare VMDK or OVF for esxi 3.5 . I'm using VWWare workstation last one.

Which toolset you using for your work / labs?

If you just have a single VMDK file then you have to copy it to the host and convert it with vmkfstools. Given that you have SSH access I would run it via that versus the vCLI. The vCLI comes in a linux or windows install plus a VMware appliance if you prefer.

For tools it depends on what you want to do. The VI client is suffient to manage the host and if you're not looking for monitoring or other then it should be OK. What do you do for backup?

For an OVF package I would use Converter.