Ever try to build a CentOS image for use with automation or just simply use for templates in general with VMware? I can tell you from experience it can be very frustrating to have a great VM that you thought would work for cloning but when you actually test it nothing seems to work. With that in mind I thought I would create this post. In a very verbose manner we will walk through the following steps
- Build a new vm from scratch
- Select a OS type that’s ready for customization specs
- Insert the functionality to copy and paste from the vm console
- Setup the console so no repeat characters appear while typing (vital for linux)
- Configure the vm tools
- Prep the VM for cloning
Let’s start by going to vCenter -> select your DC -> Create a new virtual machine
We are going to Create a new virtual machine
Give it a name and select the data center you wish to create it in
Choose the cluster
Choose the storage *Note – if using for automation, put it on shared storage
Select the compatibility mode *Note – you will not be able to choose any level higher than your supported vCenter/Host. It’s also important to know that if you choose 5.5 it will only be editable by the web client)
Choose the Guest OS family – Linux, and a OS version. *Note – I recommend using RHEL even though there is a Cent option. If you choose RHEL you can then use customization specs within vCenter
Go to VM Options tab -> Expand Boot Options -> Check Force Bios
Now expand Advanced -> Edit Configuration
Now we add the following 3 rows
isolation.tools.copy.disable FALSE
isolation.tools.paste.disable FALSE
keyboard.typematicMinDelay 200000
Click Finish when ready
Now power on the VM
Go to the manage and connect the iso image for CentOS
Launch Console
In the BIOS settings make sure to set CD-ROM Drive in the boot options to first
Now boot into your iso image
Media check, I typically skip but can be handy if you have any corrupt data from your iso
Installer is now running – click next
Select your language
Should be Basic Storage Device as the vmdm is what you will be installing to
Warning about wiping data, since this is a new VM should not matter
Choose a host name *Note with 6.5 the short name here is what it will use for the default Volume Group in the LVM configuration
Configure Network
Ensure that “Connect automatically” is checked
Select your timezone
Set your password for root
Choose your disk layout, I select “Use All Space” in order to build a default LVM
Are you sure…Yes write changes to disk
After some time the install will complete and give you this reboot screen
After the reboot is complete we login as root and update to the latest software components
Type yum update
As that completes you will see a summary
Type y to continue with the updates
Once that portion completes you will be prompted to continue with the RPM Key for installation purposes
Type y to continue
Once installation of the updates completes now you need to install perl so that vmware tools can load properly
Type yum install perl
Again a summary will appear
Type y to continue
Install the piece for automation tools to detect information about the system
Type yum install dmi_decode
Next let’s initiate the vmware tools install
Mount the disk
Now we go through the step by step commands *Note the [TAB] references the tab button as it will complete the file name or directory for you
Type mkdir /mnt/cdrom (this creates the directory)
Type mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom (this mounts the cdrom into that created directory)
Type cp /mnt/cdrom/VMwareTools[TAB] /tmp (this will copy the file to the /tmp directory)
Type umount /mnt/cdrom (unmounts the cdrom)
Type cd /tmp (takes you into the /tmp directory)
Type ls (verify file is there)
Type tar -xzvf VMware[TAB] (this will extract the files)
Next we run the following commands to kick off the install of tools
Type cd vmware-tools-distrib
Type ./vmwareinstall.pl
Choose all the defaults during installation
Once complete you will see the following on the screen
Now that we have complete the installation of tools we have a number of steps that need to occur to make this streamlined for cloning
Type rm /etc/dev/rules.d/70-persistent-net.rules
Type y
Type vi /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0
Move the cursor to the UUID row and type dd to delete it
Do the same for the HWADDR
Type :wq in to save and exit the editor
Now lets disable the firewalls that would prevent communication of any agents
Type chkconfig iptables off
Type chkconfig ip6tables off
Type echo 0 >selinux/enforce
Type vi /etc/selinux/config
Type i to insert
Change the SELINUX= to disabled
Type :wq to save
Your template is now ready for use!
Type shutdown -h now
Now back to the vSphere client and either take a snapshot for linked clone or clone directly to a template
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3 comments
Does this work with static IPs and VCAC6? Having a real problem getting the linked clone to pick up an IP after its provisioned. I used a customization spec and the adapter just gets set to DHCP. VCAC has an allocation for the IP under network profiles. It just nevers makes its way to the OS.
Daniel.edwards@cdillc.com
Does this work with static IPs and VCAC6? Having a real problem getting the linked clone to pick up an IP after its provisioned. I used a customization spec and the adapter just gets set to DHCP. VCAC has an allocation for the IP under network profiles. It just nevers makes its way to the OS.
Daniel.edwards@cdillc.com
edited the reply email
Daniel,
Yes this works with vCAC and static IPs from the network profile. Couple of key steps though
Ta Da, you will now have static IP assignments working!