Re: [libvirt] Re: [Libvir] [PATCH][RFC] libvirt ldoms support
On Wed, May 07, 2008 at 03:14:52PM -0500, Eunice Moon wrote:
Hi Daniel,
With the new LDoms release (LDoms 1.1), we plan to provide a more
generic XML format which will be using the OVF (Open Virtual Machine
Format) spec:
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/ovf_spec_draft.pdf
Even though the OVF spec is still in the Draft stage, it can be
the hypervisor independent XML format for virtual machines.
I am wondering if it is in your radar or have any plan to move
forward to using more generic XML format.
OVF is a way to describe the generic functional requirements of a virtual
machine (primarily, but not exclusively, for purposes of distribution of
appliances). The libvirt XML format is describing a specific deployment
of a virtual machine on a specific hypervisor. This is a subtle by
very important distinction.
For example, OVF may specify that a VM requires 2 disks, of size X and Y.
It does not care about the path the disks are stored at, what container
format they use etc. The libvirt XML format for a particular deployment
of a vm does have to specify the paths to the disks, their format (qcow,
vmdk) and many other aspects.
The OVF format is akin to the 'virt-image' XML format for distributing
virtual appliances, except that OVF is vastly more complex.
So in summary there is no intention to use OVF in libvirt because it is
serving a different purpose.
Dan.
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