Working with your VMs

Much of the documentation included below is taken directly from VMware's vCloud Director documentation. This documentation is available for download from VMware directly via vCloud Director User's Guide.

Virtual machines have a guest operating system on which you can install and run any software supported by that operating system. In vmForge, you can install VMware Tools, insert DVDs and floppy disks, and remotely connect to virtual machines.

These are the most basic operations that you can do on a virtual machine.

  • Power On, which is equal to powering on a physical machine.
  • Power Off, which is equal to powering off a physical machine.
  • Suspend, where the CPU of a deployed virtual machine is frozen. You can suspend a machine when you need to leave a virtual machine but do not want to lose its current state.
  • Reset, which power cycles the virtual machine.

  • Open a Virtual Machine Console
  • Power On a Virtual Machine
  • Power Off a Virtual Machine
  • Reset a vApp or Virtual Machine
  • Suspend a Virtual Machine
  • Resume a Suspended Virtual Machine
  • Discard the Suspended State of a Virtual Machine
  • Insert a CD/DVD
  • Eject a CD/DVD
  • Insert a Floppy
  • Eject a Floppy
  • Upgrade the Virtual Hardware Version for a Virtual Machine
  • Connect Remotely to a Virtual Machine
  • Copy or Move a Virtual Machine to a vApp
  • Delete a Virtual Machine
  • Modify Virtual Machine General Properties
  • Modify Virtual Machine CPUs and Memory
  • Modify Virtual Machine OVF Environment Properties
  • Modifying Virtual Machine Hard Disks
  • Modifying Virtual Machine Network Interfaces
  • Installing VMware Tools
  • Guest Operating Systems

    Open a Virtual Machine Console

    Accessing your virtual machine console allows you to view information about a virtual machine, work with the guest operating system, and perform operations that affect the guest operating system.

    You might be required to install VMware Remote Console Plug-In. Click Install in the dialog box that appears.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine is powered on.

    Procedure Click My Cloud. In the left pane, click VMs. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Popout Console.
    If you close or refresh a virtual machine console while you have one or more client devices connected, those devices are disconnected.

    Power On a Virtual Machine

    Powering on a virtual machine is the equivalent of powering on a physical machine.

    You cannot power on a virtual machine that has guest customization enabled unless the virtual machine has a current version of VMware Tools installed.

    Prerequisites A virtual machine that is powered off.

    Procedure Click My Cloud. In the left pane, click VMs. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Power On.

    Power Off a Virtual Machine

    Powering off a virtual machine is the equivalent of powering off a physical machine.

    Prerequisites

    A virtual machine that is powered on.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Power Off.

    Reset a vApp or Virtual Machine

    Resetting a virtual machine clears state (memory, cache, and so on), but the vApps and virtual machines continue to run.

    Prerequisites

    Your vApp is started and virtual machine is powered on.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, select vApps or VMs.
    3. Select a vApp or virtual machine, right-click, and select Reset.

    Suspend a Virtual Machine

    Suspending a virtual machine preserves its current state.

    Prerequisites

    A virtual machine that is powered on.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Suspend.
    4. Click Yes.

    Resume a Suspended Virtual Machine

    You can resume a suspended virtual machine to power it on and return it to the state it was in when you suspended it.

    Prerequisites

    A suspended virtual machine.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Resume.

    Discard the Suspended State of a Virtual Machine

    If a virtual machine is in a suspended state, you can discard this state, for example, to free storage space.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Discard Suspended State.
    4. Click Yes.

    Insert a CD/DVD

    You can access CD/DVD images from catalogs to use in a virtual machine guest operating system. You can install operating systems, applications, drivers, and so on.

    Prerequisites

    You have access to a catalog with media files.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. In the right pane, select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Insert CD/DVD from Catalog.
    4. Select a media file and click Insert.

    The selected CD or DVD is inserted.

    Eject a CD/DVD

    After you have finished using a CD or DVD in your virtual machine you can eject it.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, select VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Eject CD/DVD.

    The media file is removed from the virtual machine.

    Insert a Floppy

    You can access floppy disk images from catalogs to use in a guest operating system. When you insert a floppy disk, you can install operating systems, applications, drivers, and so on.

    Prerequisites

    You have media files in your catalog.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Insert Floppy from Catalog.
    4. Using the drop-down menu, select a floppy disk image or select one from the list and click Insert.

    The selected floppy disk is inserted.

    Eject a Floppy

    After you have finished using a floppy disk in your virtual machine you can eject it.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, select VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Eject Floppy.

    The floppy disk is removed from the virtual machine.

    Upgrade the Virtual Hardware Version for a Virtual Machine

    You can upgrade the virtual hardware version for a virtual machine. Higher virtual hardware versions support more features.

    vmForge supports hardware version 4, hardware version 7, and hardware version 8 virtual machines depending on the resources backing the organization's virtual datacenters. You cannot downgrade the hardware version of a virtual machine.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine must be powered off and it must have the latest version of VMware Tools installed.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Upgrade Virtual Hardware Version.
    4. Click Yes.

    Connect Remotely to a Virtual Machine

    You can use the Remote Desktop Connection file to connect to a deployed virtual machine from your desktop.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine must be powered on, running a Windows guest OS, and have Remote Desktop enabled in the guest OS.

    The virtual machine must have an IP assigned on its network that is accessible by the client.

    The RDP port 3389 must be open on the guest OS.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Download Windows Remote Desktop Shortcut File.
    4. In the Download RDP Shortcut File dialog box, click Yes.
    5. Navigate to the location where you want to save the file and click Save.
    6. Double-click the file and select Connect.

    Copy or Move a Virtual Machine to a vApp

    You can copy or move a virtual machine to another vApp. When you copy a virtual machine, the original virtual machine remains in the source vApp. If you move a virtual machine, it is removed from the source vApp.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine must be powered off.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Copy to or Move to.
    4. Follow the prompts to complete the wizard.
    5. Click Finish.

    Delete a Virtual Machine

    You can delete a virtual machine from your organization.

    Prerequisites

    Your virtual machine must be powered off.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Delete.
    4. Click Yes.

    Modify Virtual Machine General Properties

    You can review and modify the name, description, and other general properties of a virtual machine.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine must be powered off to modify some general properties.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the General tab, modify the properties and click OK.
      • Full name:
        The display name of the virtual machine in vmForge.
      • Computer name:
        The computer/host name set in the guest operating system that identifies the virtual machine on a network. This field is restricted to 15 characters because of a Windows OS limitation on computer names.
      • Description:
        An optional description of the virtual machines.
      • Operating System Family:
        Drop-down list containing supported operating system families.
      • Operating System:
        Drop-down list containing supported operating systems.
      • Virtual hardware version:
        The virtual hardware version of the virtual machine. Select the Upgrade to and select a hardware version to upgrade the virtual machine hardware.
      • Virtual CPU hot add:
        Select the check box to enable virtual CPU hot add. This allows you to advirtual CPUs to a powered on virtual machine. This feature is only supported on certain guest operating systems and virtual machine hardware versions.
      • Memory hot add:
        Select the check box to enable memory hot add. This allows you to add memory to a powered on virtual machine. This feature is only supported on certain guest operating systems and virtual machine hardware versions.
      • Synchronize time:
        Select the check box to enable time synchronization between the virtual machine guest operating system and the virtual datacenter in which it is running.

    Modify Virtual Machine CPUs and Memory

    You can modify the number of virtual CPUs and memory for a virtual machine. The number of virtual CPUs and memory that a virtual machine supports depends on its virtual hardware version. You must power off the virtual machine before adding CPUs or memory, unless the virtual machine supports memory hot add and virtual CPU hot add.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the Hardware tab, select the number of CPUs and total memory for the virtual machine.
    5. Click OK.

    Modify Virtual Machine OVF Environment Properties

    If a virtual machine includes user-configurable OVF environment properties, you can review and modify those properties. If the vApp containing the virtual machine includes a value for a user-configurable property of the same name, the virtual machine value takes precedence.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine is powered off and its OVF environment includes user-configurable properties.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the Custom Properties tab, modify the properties and click OK.

    Modifying Virtual Machine Hard Disks

    You can add hard disks, edit hard disks, and delete hard disk from a virtual machine.

    Add a Virtual Machine Hard Disk

    You can add a virtual hard disk to a virtual machine.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine is powered off.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the Hardware tab, click Add in the Hard Disks section.
    5. Select the disk size, bus type, bus number, and unit number and click OK.

    Now power on the virtual machine and use the guest operating system tools to partition and format the new disk.

    Edit a Virtual Machine Hard Disk

    You can modify the bus number and unit number of a virtual machine hard disk.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine is powered off.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the Hardware tab, select a new bus number or unit number in the Hard Disks section and click OK.

    Delete a Virtual Machine Hard Disk

    You can delete a virtual machine hard disk.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine is powered off.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the Hardware tab, click Delete in the Hard Disks section and click Yes.
    5. Click OK.

    Modifying Virtual Machine Network Interfaces

    You can modify virtual machine network settings, reset a MAC address, add a network interface, and delete a network interface.

    Virtual machine version 4 supports up to four NICs, and virtual machine version 7 and 8 support up to ten NICs.

    Edit Network Interface Settings

    You can disconnect a virtual machine NIC, change the network to which a NIC connects, specify a primary NIC, and change the IP addressing mode for a NIC.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine is powered off.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. In the NICs section on the Hardware tab, specify the network settings for each NIC.
      • Connected:
        Deselect the check box to disconnect a NIC.
      • Network:
        Select a network from the drop-down menu.
      • Primary NIC:
        Select a primary NIC. The primary NIC setting determines the default and only gateway for the virtual machine. The virtual machine can use any NIC to connect to other machines that are directly connected to the same network as the NIC, but it can only use the primary NIC to connect to machines on networks that require a gateway connection.
      • IP Mode:
        Select an IP mode:
        • Static - IP:
          Pool pulls IP addresses from the network's IP pool.
        • Static - Manual
          Allows you to specify an IP address.
        • DHCP:
          Pulls IP addresses from a DHCP server.
      • IP Address:
        If you selected Static - Manual, type an IP address.
    5. Click OK.

    Reset a Network Interface MAC Address

    You can reset a network interface MAC address if, for example, you have a MAC address conflict or if you need to discard saved state quickly and easily.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine is powered off.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. Click the Hardware tab.
    5. In the NICs section, click the MAC Address drop-down menu and select Reset.
    6. Click OK

    Add a Network Interface

    You can add one or more virtual NICs to a virtual machine. Virtual machine version 4 supports up to four NICs, and virtual machine version 7 and 8 support up to ten NICs.
    For information about supported network adapter types, see http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1001805.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine is powered off.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. In the NICs section on the Hardware tab, click Add.
    5. (Optional) Modify the NIC settings.
    6. Click OK.

    Remove a Network Interface

    You can remove NICs from a virtual machines.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine is powered off.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. In the NICs section on the Hardware tab, click Delete.
    5. Click OK.

    Installing VMware Tools

    VMware Tools supports shared folders and cut and paste operations between the guest operating system and the machine from which you launch the vmForge Web console. vmForge depends on VMware Tools to customize the guest OS. Using VMware Tools, you can move the pointer in and out of the virtual machine console window.

    A virtual machine must be powered on to install VMware Tools.

    Install VMware Tools in a New Virtual Machine with No Guest Operating System

    If your newly created virtual machine has no guest operating system, you must install it before you can install VMware Tools. You must be at least a vApp User.

    Prerequisites

    You have created a vApp in which you have a blank virtual machine.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, selectvApps > Open.
    3. On the Virtual Machines tab, select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Power On.
    4. Log into the virtual machine console and install the guest operating system.
    5. Install VMware Tools.
    6. Power off the virtual machine.
    7. Select the virtual machine, right-click and select Properties.
    8. On the Guest OS Customization tab, select the Enable guest customization check box.
    9. Power the virtual machine on.

    The guest OS in your newly created virtual machine has been customized.

    Installing VMware Tools in a vApp

    When you install VMware Tools in a virtual machine in a vApp, you need to understand the process. You can trigger VMware Tools installation on a powered on guest virtual machine in a vApp by selecting the virtual machine, right-click, and selecting Install VMware Tools. Open the virtual machine console to continue with the installation.

    • To install on a Windows Guest
      • "Install VMware Tools on a Windows Guest,"
    • To install on a Linux Guest
      • "Install VMware Tools on a Linux Guest in X with the RPM Installer,"
      • "Install VMware Tools on a Linux Guest with the Tar Installer or RPM Installer,"
    • To install on a Solaris Guest
      • "Install VMware Tools on a Solaris Guest,"

    If the settings on a guest virtual machine are not in synch with vmForge or an attempt to perform guest customization has failed, you can select the virtual machine, right-click, and select Power on and Force re- customization. When you select Add to My Cloud or Add from Catalog on a vApp template, these are the available options on the vApp template Properties page.

    • Make identical copy
    • Customize VM Settings

    The vApp template is added and saved as a vApp in your organization. These options are not used when you use a virtual machine, when you create a new vApp, or add a new virtual machine.

    Install VMware Tools in a Virtual Machine in a vApp

    vApp deployment can fail if VMware Tools are not installed on the virtual machines in the vApp.

    Prerequisites

    You must stop the vApp.

    Procedure

    1. Disable Guest Customization
      To install VMware Tools in a virtual machine in a vApp, you must disable guest customization.
    2. Start the vApp
      After you install VMware Tools, you must start the vApp.
    3. Install VMware Tools
      You must install VMware Tools in your virtual machines to customize the guest operation system.
    4. Stop the vApp
      To enable guest customization on a virtual machine, you must stop the vApp.
    5. Enable Guest Customization
      After you install or upgrade VMware Tools in your virtual machines, you must enable guest customization.
    6. Start the vApp
      After you install VMware Tools, you must start the vApp.

    Disable Guest Customization

    To install VMware Tools in a virtual machine in a vApp, you must disable guest customization.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, select VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the Guest OS Customization tab, deselect the Enable guest customization check box.

    Start the vApp

    After you install VMware Tools, you must start the vApp.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click vApps.
      The virtual machines in the vApp will customize when you power on. The guest OS will be rebooted during customization if necessary.
    3. Select the vApp, right click, and select Start.

    Install VMware Tools

    You must install VMware Tools in your virtual machines to customize the guest operation system.

    You are at least a vApp User.

    Prerequisites

    Guest customization is disabled on the relevant virtual machines.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click vApps.
    3. Select a vApp, right-click, and select Open.
    4. On the Virtual Machines tab, select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Power On.
    5. Select the virtual machine, right-click, and select Install VMware Tools.

    VMware tools installation is triggered or Tools CD is mounted. You need to open the virtual machine console to complete the installation. VMware Tools is installed.

    Stop the vApp

    To enable guest customization on a virtual machine, you must stop the vApp.

    You are at least a vApp User.

    Prerequisites

    Your vApp is started.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. Power off your virtual machines.
    3. Select a vApp, right-click, and select Stop.

    The vApp is stopped.

    Enable Guest Customization

    After you install or upgrade VMware Tools in your virtual machines, you must enable guest customization.

    Procedure

    1. On the Guest OS Customization tab, select the Enable guest customization check box.
    2. Select the other check boxes in the dialog box as relevant.

    Start the vApp

    After you install VMware Tools, you must start the vApp.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click vApps.
      The virtual machines in the vApp will customize when you power on. The guest OS will be rebooted during customization if necessary.
    3. Select the vApp, right click, and select Start.

    Install VMware Tools in a vApp Template

    You can install VMware Tools on a virtual machine for which guest customization is enabled.

    Prerequisites

    Guest customization is enabled on the virtual machine's Properties page.

    Procedure

    1. Save the vApp Template as a vApp
      To install VMware Tools in a vApp, you must save it as a vApp.
    2. Disable Guest Customization
      Before you can install VMware Tools on a virtual machine, you must disable guest customization.
    3. Install VMware Tools
      You must install VMware Tools in your virtual machines to customize the guest operation system.
    4. Enable Guest Customization
      After you install or upgrade VMware Tools in your virtual machines, you must enable guest customization.
    5. Add vApp to Catalog
      After you install or upgrade VMware Tools, you can add the updated vApp to your catalog.

    Save the vApp Template as a vApp

    To install VMware Tools in a vApp, you must save it as a vApp.

    Procedure

    1. Click Catalogs.
    2. On the vApp Templates tab, select a vApp template, right-click, and select Properties.
    3. Select Make Identical Copy.
    4. Select the vApp template, right-click, and select Add to My Cloud.

    The vApp template has been saved as a vApp.

    What to do next

    You need to install VMware Tools.

    Disable Guest Customization

    Before you can install VMware Tools on a virtual machine, you must disable guest customization.

    Procedure

    1. On the vApps page, select a vApp, right-click, and select Open.
    2. Select My Cloud > vApps.
    3. In a vApp, select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Open.
    4. On the Guest OS Customization tab, deselect the Enable guest customization and other check boxes as

    desired.

    1. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties
    2. On the Guest OS Customization tab, deselect the Enable guest customization check box.
    3. Select the vApp, right-click, and select Start.

    Install VMware Tools

    You must install VMware Tools in your virtual machines to customize the guest operation system.

    You are at least a vApp User.

    Prerequisites

    Guest customization is disabled on the relevant virtual machines.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click vApps.
    3. Select a vApp, right-click, and select Open.
    4. On the Virtual Machines tab, select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Power On.
    5. Select the virtual machine, right-click, and select Install VMware Tools.

    VMware tools installation is triggered or Tools CD is mounted. You need to open the virtual machine console to complete the installation.

    VMware Tools is installed.

    Enable Guest Customization

    After you install or upgrade VMware Tools in your virtual machines, you must enable guest customization.

    Procedure

    1. On the Guest OS Customization tab, select the Enable guest customization check box.
    2. Select the other check boxes in the dialog box as relevant.

    Add vApp to Catalog

    After you install or upgrade VMware Tools, you can add the updated vApp to your catalog.

    Procedure

    1. Select a vApp, right-click, and select Stop.
    2. Select the vApp, right-click, and select Add vApp to Catalog.
    3. Select the vApp template, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. Select Customize VM Settings or Make Identical Copy.
    5. (Optional) Delete the previous version of the vApp template, if necessary.

    Install VMware Tools With Guest Customization Disabled

    You can install VMware Tools in a vApp template when guest customization is disabled.

    Prerequisites

    Guest customization is disabled on the virtual machine Properties page.

    Procedure

    1. Save the vApp Template as a vApp
      To install VMware Tools in a vApp, you must save it as a vApp.
    2. Install or Upgrade VMware Tools
      You can either install VMware Tools or upgrade the current version in your virtual machine.
    3. Enable Guest Customization
      After you install or upgrade VMware Tools in your virtual machines, you must enable guest customization.
    4. Add vApp to Catalog
      After you install or upgrade VMware Tools, you can add the updated vApp to your catalog.

    Save the vApp Template as a vApp

    To install VMware Tools in a vApp, you must save it as a vApp.

    Procedure

    1. Click Catalogs.
    2. On the vApp Templates tab, select a vApp template, right-click, and select Properties.
    3. Select Make Identical Copy.
    4. Select the vApp template, right-click, and select Add to My Cloud.

    The vApp template has been saved as a vApp.

    What to do next

    You need to install VMware Tools.

    Install or Upgrade VMware Tools

    You can either install VMware Tools or upgrade the current version in your virtual machine.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, select vApps.
    3. On the vApps page, select a vApp, right-click, and select Open.
    4. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    1. In the Guest OS Customization tab, deselect the Enable guest customization and other check boxes as

    desired.

    1. Right-click the virtual machine and select Install VMware Tools.

    Enable Guest Customization

    After you install or upgrade VMware Tools in your virtual machines, you must enable guest customization.

    Procedure

    1. On the Guest OS Customization tab, select the Enable guest customization check box.
    2. Select the other check boxes in the dialog box as relevant.

    Add vApp to Catalog

    After you install or upgrade VMware Tools, you can add the updated vApp to your catalog.

    Procedure

    1. Select a vApp, right-click, and select Stop.
    2. Select the vApp, right-click, and select Add vApp to Catalog.
    3. Select the vApp template, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. Select Customize VM Settings or Make Identical Copy.
    5. (Optional) Delete the previous version of the vApp template, if necessary.

    Upgrade VMware Tools

    If the version of VMware Tools is earlier than 7299 in a virtual machine in your vApp, you must upgrade it. Upgrading VMware Tools might involve uninstalling your existing VMware Tools versions and installing a new one from a CD mounted in the operating system. This process can also be done automatically.

    Prerequisites

    You must stop the vApp.

    Procedure

    1. Install a New Version of VMware Tools
      After you disable guest customization, you can upgrade VMware Tools.
    2. Enable Guest Customization
      After you install or upgrade VMware Tools in your virtual machines, you must enable guest customization.
    3. Start the vApp
      After you install VMware Tools, you must start the vApp.

    Install a New Version of VMware Tools

    After you disable guest customization, you can upgrade VMware Tools.

    Procedure

    1. Select the vApp, right-click, and select Start.
    2. Select the virtual machine, right-click, and select Install VMware Tools.

    The process is different based on the operating system.

    Enable Guest Customization

    After you install or upgrade VMware Tools in your virtual machines, you must enable guest customization.

    Procedure

    1. On the Guest OS Customization tab, select the Enable guest customization check box.
    2. Select the other check boxes in the dialog box as relevant.

    Start the vApp

    After you install VMware Tools, you must start the vApp.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click vApps.
      The virtual machines in the vApp will customize when you power on. The guest OS will be rebooted during customization if necessary.
    3. Select the vApp, right click, and select Start.

    Install VMware Tools on a Windows Guest

    vmForge uses VMware Tools to customize the Windows guest operating system.

    Prerequisites

    • The VMware Remote Console plug-in is installed.
    • Your virtual machine is powered off.
    • You have disabled the option to install VMware Tools on a powered off virtual machine.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Install VMware Tools.
    4. Follow the prompts to complete the installation wizard.
    5. Click Finish.
    6. Restart your virtual machine.

    Install VMware Tools on a Linux Guest in X with the RPM Installer

    You can use an RPM installer to install VMware Tools on a Linux guest operating system.

    Prerequisites

    The VMware Remote Console plug-in is installed.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a Linux virtual machine, right-click, and select Open Console.
    4. In the guest operating system, start the RPM installer.
      • Double-click the VMware Tools CD icon on your desktop and double-click the RPM installer in the root of the CD-ROM.
      • Double-click the RPM installer in the file manager window.
    5. Type the root password and click OK.
    6. Click Continue when the package is ready.
      When VMware Tools is installed, no confirmation or Finish button appears.
    7. In an X terminal, as root, run the vmware-config-tools.pl script to configure VMware Tools.
    8. Press Enter to accept the default value.
    9. After the upgrade is complete, enter /etc/init.d/network to restart the network.
    10. Type exit.
    11. To start the VMware Tools control panel, enter vmware-toolbox vmware-toolbox &.

    Install VMware Tools on a Linux Guest with the Tar Installer or RPM Installer

    You can use a Tar command or RPM installer to install VMware tools on a Linux guest OS with a Tar or RPM.

    Prerequisites

    • The VMware Remote Console plug-in is installed.
    • The virtual machine is powered on.
    • With an existing installation, delete the vmware-tools-distrib directory before you install. The location

    of this directory depends on where you placed it during the previous installation (such as, tmp/vmware-tools-distrib).

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a Linux virtual machine, right-click, and select Install VMware Tools
    4. Right-click the virtual machine again and selectPopout Console.
    5. In the guest operating system, as root (su-), mount the VMware Tools virtual CD-ROM image and change to a working directory, for example, enter /tmp.
      Some Linux distributions automatically mount CD-ROMs. If your distribution uses automounting, do not use the mount and unmount commands. You still must untar the VMware Tools installer to /tmp. Some Linux distributions use different device names or organize the /dev directory differently. If your CD-ROM drive is not /dev/cdrom, or if the mount point for a CD-ROM is not /mnt/cdrom, modify these commands to reflect the conventions used by your distribution
      mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
      cd /tmp
    6. Uncompress the installer and unmount the CD-ROM image.
      If you install an RPM installation over a tar installation, or the reverse, the installer detects the previous installation and must convert the installer database format before continuing.
      • In the tar installer At the command prompt, type
        tar zxpf /mnt/cdrom/VMwareTools-4.0.0-xxxx.tar.gz
        unmount /dev/cdrom
        where xxxx is the build or revision number of the release.
      • In the RPM installer At the command prompt, type
        tar zxpf /mnt/cdrom/VMwareTools-4.0.0-<xxxx>.i386.gz
        unmount /dev/cdrom
        where <xxxx> is the build/revision number of the release.
    7. Run the installer.
      • In the tar installer Type cd vmware-tools-distrib./vmware-install.pl. Press Enter to accept the default value.
      • In the RPM installer Configure VMware Tools, type vmware-config-tools.pl Press Enter to accept the default value.
    8. After the upgrade is complete, restart the network by running /etc/init.d/network restart.
    9. Type exit.
    10. Start your graphical environment.
    11. In an X terminal, run vmware-toolbox vmware-toolbox &

    Install VMware Tools on a Solaris Guest

    You can install VMware Tools on a Solaris guest OS.

    Prerequisites

    The VMware Remote Console plug-in is installed.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a Solaris virtual machine, right click, and select Install VMware Tools'.
    4. Click Popout Console.
    5. In the virtual machine, log in as root and, if necessary, mount the VMware Tools virtual CD-ROM image.
      The Solaris volume manager vold mounts the CD-ROM under /cdrom/vmwaretools.
    6. If the CD-ROM is not mounted, restart the volume manager by running these commands.
      • /etc/init.d/volmgt stop
      • /etc/init.d/volmgt start
    7. After the CD-ROM is mounted, change to a working directory, for example, /tmp and extract VMware Tools.
    8. * cd /tmp
    9. * gunzip -c /cdrom/vmwaretools/vmware-solaris-tools.tar.gz | tar xf-
    10. Run the VMware Tools tar installer.
      • cd vmware-tools-distrib
      • ./vmware-install.pl
    11. Press Enter to accept the default value.
    12. Type exit.
    13. Start your graphical environment.
    14. In an X terminal, enter vmware-toolbox vmware-toolbox &

    Guest Operating Systems

    A guest operating system is an operating system that runs inside a virtual machine. You can install a guest operating system in a virtual machine and control guest operating system customization for virtual machines created from vApp templates.

    In "Guest Operating System Support,", you can see a list of the supported guest operating systems and whether customization is automatic or manual.

    Install a Guest Operating System

    With a guest OS you can manage virtual machines that are based on the available operating systems.

    Prerequisites

    The appropriate media file must be in your catalog.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Insert CD/DVD.
    4. Select an available media file in the top panel or select one and add it to your vDC in the bottom panel.
    5. Click OK.
    6. Point to the virtual machine name and press Ctrl+Alt+Del to boot from the ISO image and start the operating system installer.
    7. In the virtual machine console, type the required information to complete the installation.
    8. Click Finish.

    Customizing Your Guest Operating System

    When you customize your guest OS you can set up a virtual machine with the operating system that you want. vmForge can customize the network settings of the guest operating system of a virtual machine created from a vApp template. When you customize your guest operating system, you can create and deploy multiple unique virtual machines based on the same vApp template without machine name or network conflicts. When you configure a vApp template with the prerequisites for guest customization and add a virtual machine to a vApp based on that template, vmForge creates a package with guest customization tools. When you deploy and power on the virtual machine for the first time, vmForge copies the package, runs the tools, and deletes the package from the virtual machine.

    Understanding Guest Customization

    When you customize your guest operating system, there are some settings and options you should know about.

    Enable Guest Customization Check Box

    This check box is found on the Guest OS customization tab on the virtual machine Properties page. The goal of guest customization is to configure based on the options selected in the Properties page. If this check box is selected, guest customization and re-customization is performed when required.

    This process is required for all guest customization features, such as the computer name, network settings, setting and expiring the administrator/root password, SID change for Windows Operating systems, and so on, to work. This option should be selected for Power on and Force re-customization to work.

    If the check box is selected, and the virtual machine's configuration parameters in vmForge are out of synch with the settings in the guest OS, the Profile tab on the virtual machines Properties page displays that the settings out of synch with the guest OS and the virtual machine needs guest customization.

    Guest customization Behavior for vApps and Virtual Machines

    The check boxes are deselected.

    • Enable guest customization
    • In Windows guest OSs, Change SID
    • Password reset

    If you want to perform customization (or you made changes to network settings that need to be reflected in the guest OS), you can select the Enable guest customization check box and set the options on the Guest OS Customization tab of the virtual machine Properties page. When virtual machines from vApp templates are used to create a new vApp and then add a virtual machine, the vApp templates act as building blocks. When you add virtual machines from the catalog to a new vApp, the virtual machines are enabled for guest customization by default. When you save a vApp template from a catalog as a vApp, virtual machines are enabled for guest customization only if the Enable guest customizaton check box is selected.

    These are the default values of guest customization settings:

    • The Enable guest customization check box is the same as the source virtual machine in your Catalog.
    • For Windows guest virtual machines, Change SID is the same as the source virtual machine in your catalog.
    • The password reset setting is same as the source virtual machine in your catalog.

    You can deselect the Enable guest customization check box if required before you start the VApp.

    If blank virtual machines, which are pending guest OS installation, are added to a vApp, the Enable guest customization check box is deselected by default because these virtual machines are not yet ready for customization.

    After you install the guest OS and VMware Tools, you can power off the virtual machines, stop vApp, and select the Enable guest customization check box and start the vApp and virtual machines to perform guest customization.

    If the virtual machine name and network settings are updated on a virtual machine that has been customized, the next time you power on the virtual machine, it is re-customized, which resynchronizes the guest virtual machine with vmForge.

    Customizing a Guest OS When Saving a vApp Template as a vApp

    Before you customize a guest OS in a vApp template, you need to understand the settings you need to make.

    On the vApp Templates Properties page, if you select Customize VM Settings for the When creating a vApp from this template option, and you select Add to My Cloud or Add from Catalog, the Enable guest customization check box is selected by default and guest customization is performed.

    These are the default values of guest customization settings.

    • The Enable guest customization check box is selected.
    • For Windows guest VMs, the Change SID option is the same as the source virtual machine in your catalog.
    • Password reset setting is the same as the source virtual machine in your catalog.

    If you select Make Identical Copy on the vApp template Properties page, and select Add to My Cloud, the settings in the vApp Template are applied to the new vApp, regardless of whether customization is enabled.

    These are the default values of guest customization settings.

    • The Enable guest customization check box is deselected.
    • In Windows guest virtual machines, the Change SID check box is deselected.
    • The password reset setting is deselected.
      After you import or upload to a catalog, these are the default values.
    • The Customize VM Settings check box is selected in the vApp
    • The Enable guest customization check box is selected for the virtual machines.
    • For Windows guest VMs, the Change SID check box is selected for the virtual machines.
    • The Password reset setting is selected by default for the virtual machines.

    If you are a vApp template owner and you import or upload to a catalog, you must check the VMware Tools version installed on the virtual machines in the vApp. To do this, select the vApp template, right-click, and select Open. Tools version is shown in the VMware Tools column. If you select Customize VM Settings, VMware Tools should be installed on all virtual machines. See "Installing VMware Tools," for more information.

    Enable or Disable Guest Customization

    You can disable guest customization for a virtual machine or a vApp template.

    Prerequisites

    VMware Tools is installed.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click vApp or VMs.
    3. Select a vApp or virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the Guest OS Customization tab, select or deselect the Enable guest customization check box.
    5. Click OK.

    Guest customization in the selected virtual machine is enabled or disabled.

    Change Guest Customization Settings for Virtual Machines in a vApp Template

    You can change the guest customize settings on virtual machines in a vApp template when the virtual machines are used as building blocks to create a new vApp.

    Procedure

    1. Click Catalogs.
    2. On the vApp Templates tab, select a vApp template, right-click, and select Add to My Cloud.
      The vApp template is saved as a vApp.
    3. Select the vApp, right-click, and select Open.
    4. On the Virtual Machines tab, select the virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    5. On the Guest Customization OS tab, select or deselect the Enable guest customization check box and clickOK.
    6. Select the vApp, right-click, and select Add to Catalog.

    The vApp is saved as a vApp template in the selected catalog.

    Power on and Force Recustomization of a Virtual Machine

    If the settings on a guest virtual machine are not in synch with vmForge or an attempt to perform guest customization has failed, you can power on and force the recustomization of the virtual machine.

    You are at least a vApp user.

    NOTE If you select the Change SID check box, a SID change will occur on the guest virtual machine.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In vApps, select a vApp, right-click, and select Open.
    3. On the Virtual Machines tab, select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Power On and Force Re-customization.

    The virtual machine is now recustomized.

    Customize Your Windows NT vApp Template

    You must manually customize Windows NT vApp templates.

    Prerequisites

    • Ensure minimum NT SP6 is installed.
    • Ensure VMware Tools are installed.

    Procedure

    1. Click Catalogs.
    2. On the vApp Templates tab, select a vApp template.
    3. Right-click and select Add to My Cloud.
    4. In the guest OS, shut down the virtual machine.
    5. Power off the virtual machine and ensure that the Enable guest customization check box is selected.
      You must ensure that the virtual machine's NIC is not set to NONE network.
    6. Start the vApp and power on the virtual machine.
      The Customization CD is mounted automatically after the virtual machine powers on.
    7. Right-click on the CD ROM and select Auto play.
      This step copies the deployPkg.dll file to WINNT folder.
    8. Power off the virtual machine.
    9. Stop the vApp
    10. Right-click the vApp template and select Copy to Catalog.
    11. (Optional) Delete the original vApp template.

    A script starts that copies files to the guest and prepares the virtual machine template for customization.

    NOTE If you add new Windows NT vApp Templates, you need to complete only steps 4-7 once. You do not need to repeat these steps for additional virtual machines in the Catalog that result from copying these virtual machines.

    Customize Your Solaris vApp Template

    You must manually customize Solaris vApp templates.

    Prerequisites

    Ensure VMware Tools are installed.

    Procedure

    1. Click Catalogs.
    2. Select a vApp Template, right-click, and select Add to My Cloud.
    3. In the guest OS, shut down the virtual machine.
    4. Ensure that the Enable guest customization check box is selected and power off the virtual machine.
    5. Start the vApp and power on the virtual machine.
      The Customization CD is mounted automatically after the virtual machine powers on.
    6. Log in to the Solaris guest operating system.
    7. In the terminal, run these case-sensitive commands:
      /etc/init.d/volmgt stop
      /etc/init.d/volmgt start
      sh /cdrom/cdrom/customize-guest.sh install
      eject cdrom
    8. Run shutdown -y -g0 -i5 to shut down the virtual machine from inside the guest operating system.
    9. Stop the vApp.
    10. Select the vApp template, right-click, and select Copy to Catalog.
    11. (Optional) Delete the original vApp template.

    A script starts that copies files to the guest and prepares the virtual machine template for customization.

    NOTE If you add new Solaris vApp Templates, you need to complete only steps 4-7 once. You do not need to repeat these steps for additional virtual machines in the Catalog that result from copying these virtual machines.

    Upload a Customization Script

    You can upload a customization script to a virtual machine. The script runs before and after guest customization when you deploy a virtual machine based on a vApp template.

    When you add a customization script to a virtual machine, the script is called:

    • Only on initial customization and force recustomization.
    • With the "precustomization" command line parameter before guest customization begins.
    • With the "postcustomization" command line parameter after guest customization finishes.

    The customization script cannot exceed 1500 characters.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. In the right pane, select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the Guest OS Customization tab, in the Customization Script panel, click Browse.
    5. Navigate to your script file and click Open.
      The file must be a batch file for Windows virtual machines and a shell script for Unix virtual machines.
    6. Click OK.

    Example: Customization Script Examples

    A sample Windows batch file: 

     @echo off
 if "%1%" == "precustomization" (
 echo Do precustomization tasks
 ) else if "%1%" == "postcustomization" (
 echo Do postcustomization tasks
 )

    A sample Unix shell script: 

     #!/bin/sh
 if [  x$1 == x"precustomization" ]; then
 echo Do Precustomization tasks
 elif [ x$1 == x"postcustomization" ]; then
 echo Do Postcustomization tasks
 fi

    Reset Your Virtual Machine's Password

    You can reset your virtual machine's password.

    Prerequisites

    The virtual machine's guest OS is personalized, and your virtual machine is powered off.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the Guest OS Customization tab, select the Enable guest customization check box.
    5. Select the Allow local administrator password check box.
    6. To force all administrators to change the password at the initial log in, select the Require administrator to change password on first login check box.
      Administrators must know the old password.
    7. Determine whether you want an automatically generated password.
      To use a specific password, select Specify password and type it.
    8. (Optional) To use a specific password, select Specify password and type the password.
    9. Click OK.

    The password for your virtual machine is reset.

    Domain Join Requirements for Windows

    The automatic domain join feature has several requirements. During the customization process, for Windows 2000, Microsoft Sysprep attempts to join the domain before network customization occurs. Therefore, the network properties of the source virtual machine are used to attempt to join the domain.

    • If the source virtual machine network properties are such that the domain controller is not resolvable, domain join fails.
    • If the source virtual machine was configured with a manually configured DNS, that DNS is contacted to resolve the domain controller even if the manually configured DNS is not on the network. In the case where the DNS cannot be found, domain join fails.
    • If the source Windows 2000 virtual machine was configured with DHCP, the new network DHCP is used to attempt to resolve the domain controller. In this case, if the DNS that is configured to the DHCP can resolve the domain controller, domain join succeeds.

    During customization for Microsoft Windows XP or later, Microsoft Sysprep resets the guest to configure the network settings to DHCP before attempting to join the domain, regardless of the source virtual machine or network settings. For automatic domain join to succeed, the DHCP on the network must be able to resolve the domain controller.

    Join a Windows Guest Domain During Guest Operating System Personalization

    A virtual machine can join a Windows guest domain when you personalize your guest OS.

    Prerequisites

    In a virtual machine's Properties page, the Enable guest customization check box is selected.

    Procedure

    1. Click My Cloud.
    2. In the left pane, click VMs.
    3. Select a virtual machine, right-click, and select Properties.
    4. On the Guest OS Customization tab, select the Enable this VM to join a domain check box.
      Override organization settings is selected by default.
    5. Type a domain name, user name, and password.
    6. Under Customization Script, click Browse, to upload a locally saved file.
    7. Click OK.

    The selected virtual machine joins the Windows guest domain.