Open Virtualization Format

This paper describes the Open Virtualization Format (OVF). OVF is a hypervisor-neutral, efficient, extensible, and open specification for the packaging and distribution of virtual appliances composed of one or more virtual computer systems. The target audience of this white paper is anyone who wants to understand OVF and its reason for development. Some familiarity with virtualization and the general concepts of the CIM model is assumed. The rapid adoption of virtual infrastructure has highlighted the need for a standard, portable meta-data model for the distribution of virtual machines to and between virtualization platforms.