An OVF package can be represented as a set of files, or as a single file
using the TAR format. If the OVF package is the single file format, the
extension of that file should be .ova (open virtual appliance or application).
For OVF TAR archives, the files shall be in the following order inside the
archive:
- .ovf descriptor file
- .mf manifest file (optional)
- .cert certificate file (optional) (The OVF composition tooling does not
currently support certificate files)
- The remaining files shall be in the same order as listed in the References
section. Note that any external string resource bundle files for
internationalization shall be first in the References section
- .mf manifest file (optional)
- .cert certificate (optional)
If the manifest or certificate files are present, they shall either both be
placed after the OVF descriptor file, or both be placed at the end of the
archive.
For deployment, the ordering restriction ensures that it is possible to extract
the OVF descriptor from an OVF TAR file without scanning the entire archive.
The TAR format used shall comply with the USTAR (Uniform Standard Tape Archive)
format as defined by the POSIX IEEE 1003.1 standards group.
- To export an OVF package from the OVF composition tool you would select
the File/Export menu command.

- Next you would select and load the OVF descriptor file that defines the
OVF envelope metadata and its respective files. If you had selected an .ovf
file before invoking the export wizard, the wizard will pre-load it for you.

- The next step is to indicate what processing you would like performed
for the files that are contained within the OVF envelope "References"
section. There are a number of things to consider at this point of the
export process.
Are the files to be packaged along with the envelope and other
optional files? (Required for local file references but optional for
http or https protocols).
Are any of the files resource translation bundles? (They need to be
ordered first in the file list).
Do you want to have a manifest file created? (Which will cause the file
digests to be calculated).
Do you want the file sizes calculated (or recalculated)
The following diagram illustrates the dialog where you indicate you file
processing options.

- Following the file processing step, you indicate the destination
directory to export the OVF into and whether you want to export a set of
files or an .ova tar file archive.

- The final step allows you to save any changes that might be relevant to
the OVF envelope based on earlier option selections (update file sizes).
Following this step you will have the exported OVF package ready for
distribution.

- You can save the wizard settings at this point. If you do, a file with
the extension ".ovfPackage" will be created in your workspace. Later on, you
can select this file and start the export wizard with all the settings
restored.