packer: Build type vmware-iso using ova as source

Question

In packer, when using "type": "virtualbox-ovf" it is possible to define a base ova using:

"source_path": "file://{{user `pwd`}}/server-base.ova",

This option does not seem to be available when building with "type": "vmware-iso"

Is there an alternative way for building with VMWare provider, starting from a base .ova?

Answer 1

Use vmware-vmx. If you have an OVA, use ovftool to convert it before running Packer.