esxi, template, copying

VC supports templates, but VI client with ESX doesn't support it.


ESXi contains busybox, which has problems tarring files > 8GB.


SOurce ESxi:

1. convert template to a vm
2. power off
3. convert thick disks to 2gb sparse
4. tar up the whole directory
5. gzip it
6. copy it to the target esxi's datastore
7. browse that datastore, go to that folder, and right click on .vmx file, and add it to the inventory.
8. If the ESXi in maintaince mode, your newly regd VM won't have "power on" button.
9. Exit the maintainance mode. Change UUID of that VM