> Source: [sk180335](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk180335)

# sk180335 - How to edit userdata in a VMware OVF template

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk180335 |
| Date Created | 2022-12-05 |
| Last Modified | 2026-01-04 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Cloud Firewall |
| Versions | R82.10, R81.20, R82 |
| OS | Gaia |
| Platform | VMWare ESX |

## Solution

Follow these steps to edit an OVF template:

1. Extract the OVF template from the OVA file:

   **Note:** If you already have an OVF template, you can skip this step.

   To extract the OVF template refer to [sk180334 - How to unpack and repack an OVA file](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk180334).
2. Update the userdata:

   Open the OVF file and look for ovf:key="user_data". The "ovf:value" field contains the actual userdata encoded in base64.

   For example:

   `<Property ovf:userConfigurable="false" ovf:type="string" ovf:key="user_data" ovf:value="SOME_BASE64_ENCRYPTED_STRING_HERE">`   
   `<Label>Userdata Script</Label>`  
   `<Description/>`  
   `</Property>`

   Copy the base64 value, decode it using your favorite base64 tool, make the desired changes and encode back.

**Please note:** Providing userdata only works in vCenter deployments. Simple vSphere / ESXi deployments don't work due to VMware limitations on OVF templates.  

For full documentation about the OVF standard refer to: [Open Virtualization Format](https://www.dmtf.org/standards/ovf).

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