I'm trying to setup a vSphere Client vCenter v5.0.0 Build 455964 Template Customization Specification using a Windows Sysprep unattended answer XML file for Win2008R2.
However I didn't know how Sysprep worked before attempting this so it was a time-consuming nightmare (even after reviewing VMware vSphere ESXi 5's documentation)! I think I've figure out what I'm supposed to be doing, but it's still not working. The biggest problem at this point is that vSphere Client vCenter Customization Specification IP address information is not sticking when I load a Sysprep XML file with just 1 basic setting! This can only be a bug.
Here is the process I'm using:
PROCESS for Windows - vSphere Client Install Windows OS install VM Tools customize Windows (GPOs can be used to do this after deployment) install Applications (GPOs can be used to do this after deployment too) shutdown the VM convert the VM to a template create a custom Windows Sysprep XML answer file with desired customizations View Management Customization Specifications Manager create "New" Specification for "Target Virtual Machine OS" select Windows check "Use Custom Sysprep Answer File" (ADDS: Custom Sysprep File. KEEPS: Network (IP), Operating System Options (SID, Sysprep /generalize). REPLACES: Registration Information of Owner Name & Organization, Computer Name, Windows License (Key), Administrator Password, Time Zone, Run Once, Workgroup or Domain) name it as "VMwareCS-OS####R#x32/64w/Sysprep-TEST" (CS=Customization Specification) set Description as "Created YYYY/MM/DD by FLast" NEXT import a Sysprep answer file from secure location NEXT Custom settings NEXT click "..." box to right of "Use DHCP" set "Use the following IP settings:" for "IP Address" fill out the first 2 octets set appropriate values for other 2-3 fields set DNS server addresses OK NEXT check "Generate New Security ID (SID)" ALWAYS as template is likely a domain-member computer so it can be updated occasionally NEXT Finish View Inventory VMs and Templates right-click previously completed template Deploy Virtual Machine from this Template provide the new OS name (max15char) select inventory location NEXT select Host/Cluster (wait for validation to succeed) NEXT select Resource Pool (wait for validation to succeed) NEXT select Storage location NEXT check "Power on this virtual machine after creation" select "Customize using an existing customization specification" select desired specification select "Use the Customization Wizard to temporarily adjust the specification before deployment" NEXT NEXT Custom settings? NEXT check "Generate New Security ID (SID)" ALWAYS as template is likely a domain-member computer so it can be updated occasionally NEXT Finish Finish.
I know a community member named "brian" (http://serverfault.com/users/25904/brian) has worked with this scenario before, but I couldn't figure out how to contact him directly, so Brian if you see this message could you provide some information to help?
Thanks,
Brian
