What network port number(s) is used when using an ovftool for importing/exporting virtual machine from/to vSphere environment. (using VI locator)

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

In firewall enabled environment (between ovftool and vSphere component), administrators need to know what network port(s) is required to be opened for ovftool's importing/exporting operations towards vSphere enviroment (vCenter/ESX(i)).

 

Environment

VMware vSphere environment.

ovftool

Cause

 

 

Resolution

Port 443 is needed to be opened to vCenter/ESXi from a client machine on which ovftool is running.

• to/from vCenter server(importing/exporting)
  

  Source	Destination	Ports	Protocols	Classification
  ovftool	vCenter	443	TCP	outgoing
  ovftool	ESXi(managing the specified VM)	443	TCP	outgoing

• to/from ESXi directly(importing/exporting)
  

  Source	Destination	Ports	Protocols	Classification
  ovftool	ESXi (specified in VI locator)	443	TCP	outgoing

• In both cases, client ports(ovftool) are so-called client ports or dynamic ports so actual port number varies on client OS types.

Additional Information

Typical ovftool usage examples for import/export virtual machine are described in OVF Tool Command Syntax to Export and Deploy OVA/OVF Packages.