ESX deployment appliance v1.05

[brugh]

https://solutionexchange.vmware.com/store/products/esx-deployment-appliance-eda

ESX Deployment Appliance (EDA) is a small and easy to use appliance

that makes deploying ESX servers a breeze. It has a very intuitive

web-interface that can configure and deploy dozens of ESX servers in

minutes. It has a script-builder that will allow any admin to create

%post-scripts that will do most anything one needs to get the ESX hosts

up and running! Even if deploying with RDP/Altiris or the UDA, this

script-builder can help setting those up very quickly.

[virtualman22]

My IP Address of Service Console and Vmkernel are in different subnets and on different virtual switches. How can I configure them using EDA ?

Thanks

[MarkStrong]

My IP Address of Service Console and Vmkernel are in different subnets and on different virtual switches. How can I configure them using EDA ?

Why don't you play with this script:

1. Configure VMKernel

esxcfg-vswitch -A VMKernel vSwitch99 ; use different vSwitch

1. Dont edit the next line! check ks link in table of ESX hosts for output

esxcfg-vmknic -a VMKernel -i ###HOSTIP### -n 255.255.255.224 ; change subnet mask

esxcfg-route -a default 255.255.255.224 192.11.11.11 ; change subnet mask and DG for VMKernel

sleep 30

1. Enable vMotion

vimsh -n -e "hostsvc/vmotion/vnic_set vmk0"

/etc/init.d/mgmt-vmware restart

sleep 30

VCP4 | MCITP | HP Master ASE | CCNA

[virtualman22]

Thanks for answering my earlier question is was very helpful.

I noticed that it requires 2 reboots to get the service console and the NTP settings to work properly.

The first boot is immediately after the pxe installation where is runs the %post commands% and the second boot is to make the memory and the ntp settings effective.

How can I script so that it reboots twice. Right now I have to manually reboot it. to make the ntp settings and sc settings effective.

Thanks

[galibai]

Hi, I think I can use EDA 0.91 to deply esxi but I am lost as to how to begin. I dont see any guide either explaining that. can anyone please tell what needs to be done?

I am comfortable using EDA for deployment of ESX 4.1 but not sure for ESXi4.1. Whe I mount the esx4.1 CD what is the install mode and run mode for ?

Thanks

[galibai]

Update - I was able to install the ESXi with RUN Mode on EDA. Now working to find how to run the post installation comamnds, on EDA with Esxi all of the post isntallation cmds are greyed out.

Thanks

[brugh]

ah, well, 0.91 doesn't support scripted ESXi installation. i have a 0.95 underway that does. it works fine in my lab but i haven't had time to really put i to the test. if anybody's willing to play guinea pig, drop me a PM or leave a message here and i'll get it to them.

the quick startup guide is available on http://virtualappliances.eu/?documentation. it should help you get going and avoid most common mistakes.

[alasdair_carnie]

Hi Brugh,

I'd be interested in testing this as I need a pxe server to deploy ESXi in some of the new VMware courses.

Alasdair Carnie

Principal Technologist

QA – transforming performance through learning

Witan Court, 294 Witan Gate West, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 1EJ

Tel +44 (0) 1908 206700

Email alasdair.carnie@qa.com

Web www.qa.com

[rholgate]

I'll test it too

Rob Holgate

Arrow ECS

Mobile: 07771 948050

[galibai]

I will test it too.

[JCV]

Would like to test for you too!

[MarkStrong]

I have used v0.91 extensively and would also like to participate in beta testing.

[buckmaster]

Count me in.  We deploy batches of ESXi servers and this tool should greatly help with the automation.

Thanks

[hwg]

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[brugh]

Ok, by popular request, version 0.94 is now available on  http://virtuall.eu/downloads/. It is less extensively tested than a regular eda deployment is but it should work just as well.

The main changes are a new scriptlet editor (i'm trying to get that online so people can share their smart scriptlets) and some internal construction like backup/restore and such things.

If you find anything out of the ordinary though, please leave a message here and i'll write a fix asap.

Let us know what you think (positive or negative) by leaving a message here!

[B-Bird]

I downloaded EDA 0.94 and coverted it to an ESXi 4.1 host.

There is an issue with mounting CD-ROM's, EDA isn't detecting any ISO's.

In /dev there is no scd0 device available.

I've tried to remove the CD/DVD player from the VM and added it again, no cure.

Importing EDA in Workstation, same issue.

I created a new ubuntu machine and copied the vmdk, also no cure.

Is there a workaround to fix this issue?

[brugh]

what you could try is to remove the rule files from /etc/udev/rules.d

usually that's enough to get it to work again.

if it doesn't, check what scd devices you have in /dev.

if you need more help, please post the lines from /var/log/messages that show when you attach an iso.

[galibai]

Hi, I dont see any files under /etc/udev/rules.d

Not sure, what to check in /dev

I have attached the log files for your reference.

Thanks

[brugh]

weird. the /dev/scd0 device doesn't seem to be created (anymore). seems the kernel update decided to rename the device to sr.

if you go to the patch menu in eda and type 'ln -s /dev/sr0 /dev/scd0', it'll work again.

[galibai]

update - I was able to mount the CD. Now testing....

[galibai]

The DHCP Server is not running. I even copied the dhcp settings from v0.91 to v0.94 still the same problem. The host reboots but will not get the ip address from the DHCP Server.