6.7

Using Content Libraries 4
Content libraries are container objects for VM, vApp, and OVF templates and other types of files, such as
templates, ISO images, text files, and so on. vSphere administrators can use the templates in the library
to deploy virtual machines and vApps in the vSphere inventory. Sharing templates and files across
multiple vCenter Server instances in same or different locations results in consistency, compliance,
efficiency, and automation in deploying workloads at scale.
A content library stores and manages the different types of content as library items. A single library item
can contain one file or multiple files. For example, the OVF template is a set of files (.ovf, .vmdk, .mf).
When you upload an OVF template to the library, you upload the entire set of files, but in the UI you only
see one library item of the OVF template type.
Content libraries support only OVF templates. As a result, VM and Vapp templates are converted to OVF
files when you upload the to a content library.
You create and manage a content library from a single vCenter Server instance, but you can share the
library items with other vCenter Server instances if HTTP(S) traffic is allowed between them.
You can create two types of libraries: local or subscribed library.
Local Libraries
You use a local library to store items in a single vCenter Server instance. You can publish the local library
so that users from other vCenter Server systems can subscribe to it. When you publish a content library
externally, you can configure a password for authentication.
Subscribed Libraries
You subscribe to a published library by creating a subscribed library. You can create the subscribed library
in the same vCenter Server instance where the published library is, or in a different vCenter Server
system. In the Create Library wizard you have the option to download all the contents of the published
library immediately after the subscribed library is created, or to download only metadata for the items from
the published library and to later download the full content of only the items you intend to use.
To ensure the contents of a subscribed library are up-to-date, the subscribed library automatically
synchronizes to the source published library on regular intervals. You can also manually synchronize
subscribed libraries.
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