Prerequisites
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Install Amazon EC2 CLI (refer to official documentation)
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Create an Amazon S3 bucket for storing exported VM images
Step 1: Create S3 Bucket
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Open Amazon S3 Console
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Select Create Bucket
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In the dialog window:
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Enter a unique bucket name (must be globally unique across all S3 buckets)
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Select your AWS Region
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Confirm bucket creation
Step 2: Export Virtual Machine
Use the following command syntax:
ec2-create-instance-export-task instance_id -e target_environment -f disk_image_format -c container_format -b s3_bucket
Parameters:
-
instance_id: Your EC2 instance ID (e.g., i-78e485d8) -
target_environment: Destination platform (vmware) -
disk_image_format: Disk format (vmdkfor VMware,vhdfor Hyper-V/Xen) -
container_format: Output file format (ovafor VMware) -
s3_bucket: Your target bucket name
Example:
ec2-create-instance-export-task i-78e485d8 -e vmware -f vmdk -c ova -b mybucket
Troubleshooting
If encountering "server not found" errors:
Linux/MacOS:
export EC2_URL=https://<service_endpoint>
Example
export EC2_URL=https://ec2.us-west-2.amazonaws.com
Windows:
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Right-click Computer → Properties
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Navigate to:
Advanced system settings → Environment Variables
3. Under User variables, click New
4. Set:
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Variable name:
EC2_URL -
Variable value:
https://
