What does OVF stand for in VMware terminology?

In VMware terminology, OVF stands for Open Virtualization Format. This is an open standard for packaging and distributing virtual appliances or software. It allows for a simpler way to deploy virtual machines across various virtualization platforms and is designed to maximize interoperability between different systems and environments.

Open Virtualization Format uses a file-based structure that includes descriptor files and required resources organized in a way that can be easily utilized by different virtualization tools. This standard format helps ensure that virtual machines can be created, shared, and migrated across different applications and platforms without compatibility issues.

The term is widely recognized in the industry and has been adopted to facilitate the growing trend of virtualization and cloud computing. Understanding OVF is essential for managing virtualized environments and deploying solutions effectively.