When you upload a virtual machine to a remote server, Workstation Pro copies the virtual machine to the remote host and datastore that you select. The original virtual machine remains on the host system.

Prerequisites

  • Verify that the remote server is running VMware Workstation Pro, VMware ESXi or VMware vCenter Server..

  • Verify that the virtual machine is not encrypted. You cannot upload an encrypted virtual machine.

  • Verify that the remote host supports the hardware version of the virtual machine. If the remote host does not support the hardware version, the upload wizard returns an error message.

  • Open the virtual machine in Workstation Pro.

  • If the virtual machine is powered on or suspended, power it off.

Procedure

  1. Select the virtual machine and select VM > Manage > Upload.
    Note:

    You can also start the upload process by dragging and dropping the virtual machine to the remote host in the library.

  2. Select the destination remote server.

    Option

    Action

    The remote server appears in the list

    Select the remote server in the list.

    The remote server does not appear in the list

    Select New Server Connection and log in to the remote server.

    Workstation Pro verifies the connection to the remote server.

  3. If the remote server is running vCenter Server, select a destination location.
  4. (Optional) Type a new name for the virtual machine on the remote host.
  5. Select a remote host and datastore to store the uploaded virtual machine.

    If the remote server is running vCenter Server, multiple hosts and datastores might be available.

  6. Click Finish to upload the virtual machine to the remote server.

    A status bar indicates the progress of the upload process. How long it takes to upload a virtual machine depends on the size of the virtual disk and the network connection speed.

Results

After the virtual machine is uploaded to the remote server, it appears in the inventory for the remote host in the library.