Information:
These are the basic steps to setup a Windows 2008 Template and deploy a new Windows 2008 OS using vCenter Server 2.5 with Update 3 or higher. U3 or higher is required to support the Windows 2008 OS.
1) Install Windows 2008 as a guest OS in VMWare
a. Note: The OS requires over 10GB just to get installed. You should make the OS drive at least 25GB to support future growth.
b. Name the machine: Win2008_Ver_SP#_x##
i. Ver = Is the version, Std (standard) or Ent (Enterprise)
ii. SP# = Service Pack version to be installed (SP2, SP3, etc)
iii. x## = used to indicated x32 bit or x64 bit of OS
iv. Example: Win2008_Std_x64
c. Below are best practices for templates
i. Do not activate Windows. It will be activated when deployed via the Template.
ii. Do not add Roles to the server, unless you are building a specific Template to be used solely for that server Role.
iii. Set the correct time zone
iv. Use DHCP to obtain IP Address
v. Apply latest Service Pack
vi. Launch IE and configure for first use
vii. Install latest updates from Microsoft using the Windows Updates application
viii. Install VMWare Tools
1. Custom install
2. Install all VMware Device Drivers
3. Do not install Share Folders
4. Do no install Wyse Multimedia Support
ix. Disable Windows Time service
1. Configure VMWare Tools to synchronize time.
2. Assumes ESX host is configured with NTP time servers.
3. See ‘Timekeeping in VMWare and Virtual Machines” for more information
4. Note: Running DCPromo will automatically enable the time service, since all DC’s are time servers for the domain.
x. Defrag all the drives and schedule a defrag weekly.
d. Below are common tasks you should consider performing for the template
i. Configure User Account Control for Administrators. Its recommended you set this to Never Notify
ii. Enable Remote Desktop for administration
iii. Enable WinRM for command line remote management
winrm quickconfig -quite
iv. Disable WinHTTP Proxy Service
v. Disable or Configure Windows Firewall as needed.
vi. Configure IE Security Enhancements for Administrators and Users
vii. Install and configure common Features
1. .Net Framework 3.5.1 (Do not include WCF Activation)
2. SNMP Service
a. Include all sub components
3. Windows PowerShell ISE
4. Windows Server Backup Features
a. Include all sub components
viii. Configure PowerShell execution policy.
1. The default execution policy is very restrictive and does not allow scripts to execute remotely. You should consider setting one of the following execution policies now to allow for future ease of use.
2. Configure as unrestricted or remotesigned
powershell –set-executionpolicy unrestricted
e. Below are common Desktop applications that you may consider installing.
i. Adobe Reader
ii. WinZip
iii. Anti-Virus Software
1. Depends on the ability of the software to handle a computer name change, test first.
f. Tasks that cannot be done because of Sysprep
i. The follow items have been found to be undone by sysprep
ii. Changing drive letters for CDRom, secondary HD, etc
iii. Renaming or customizing Network Connections and Properties
2) Using the VI Client change the OS Type to Vista
a. Windows 2008 customization is not provided in VC 2.5, but Vista uses the same process and its customization is provided. By changing the OS to be Vista you can create a customization file for the Windows 2008 OS.
b. Be sure to select the matching Vista OS as 32bit or 64bit.
3) Clone the Virtual Machine to a Template
a. Choose clone so the original is always available.
b. Shutdown the Guest OS of the target virtual machine.
c. Open the VI Client
d. Select the Virtual Machine
i. Right click and select “Clone to Template…”
ii. Template Name: Win2k8_Ver_SP#_x##
1. Ver = Is the version, Std (standard) or Ent (Enterprise)
2. SP# = Service Pack version to be installed (SP2, SP3, etc)
3. x## = used to indicated x32 bit or x64 bit of OS
4. Example: Win2k8_Std_x64
5. Note: this is different from the actual VM name that starts “Win2008_”
iii. Select the Template Inventory Location
1. Click Next
iv. Select the Host or Cluster to assign the template to
1. Click Next
v. Select the data store to hold the Template
1. Click Next
vi. Select the format to store the Template in.
1. Because we are Cloning, we can select Compact to save space
2. Otherwise select Normal
3. Click Next
vii. Review selections
1. Click Finish
4) Deploy a new Virtual Machine and create the Customization Settings
a. Open the VI Client
b. Click the Inventory Button drop down
i. Select the “Virtual Machines and Templates”
1. Allows you to view Templates on the left pane of the VI Client
c. Right Click the Template from the list in the left pane of the VI Client.
d. Select Deploy Virtual Machine from this Template
i. Select Name and Location page
1. Name: Enter the VM name
2. Inventory Location: select the location
3. Click Next
ii. Select the Host or Cluster page
1. Select the Host/Cluster
2. Click Next
iii. Choose a Datastore Page
1. Select the appropriate Datastore
2. Click Next
iv. Guest Customization Page
1. Select Customize using the Customization Wizard
2. Click Next
v. Customization Wizard Appears
1. Registration Inforamtion
a. Name: type the name of the registered owner
b. Organization: type the organization of the registered owner
2. Computer Name Page
a. Select Prompt the User for a name in the Deploy Wizard
b. Click Next
3. Windows License
a. Product ID: enter a valid Windows Product ID for the OS
b. Server License Mode:
i. Select the appropriate mode for your organization
c. Click Next
4. Administrator Password Page
a. Enter the default Administrator password for this template
5. Time Zone Page
a. Select the appropriate time zone
b. Click Next
6. Run Once
a. Use this to run any special commands or scripts to further customize the OS
b. Click Next
7. Network Setting Page
a. Select Typical Settings
b. Click Next
8. Workgroup Or Domain Page
a. Select Workgroup
b. Enter a default workgroup name.
c. Note: To prevent issues manually add to the domain afterwards.
d. Click Next
9. Operating System Options
a. Check Generate New Security ID (SID)
b. Click Next
10. Save Specification
a. Check Save this customization specification for later use
b. Name: enter appropriate name
c. Description: enter appropriate description
d. Click Next
11. Ready to Complete
a. Review Summary
b. Click Finish
vi. User Settings Page (the customization specification you just completed)
1. Computer Name: enter the computer name you wish to assign to the virtual machine
2. Click Next
vii. Summary Page
1. Review Summary
2. Click Finish
5) Deploy a new Virtual Machine using existing Customization Specification
a. Using the same steps as above do the following changes.
b. In step 4.d.iv above select Customize using an existing customization specification
i. Select the Customization Specification you wish to use.
ii. Click Next
c. Skip all of 4.d.v
6) Using the VI Client
a. For the newly created VM change the OS version back to the appropriate Windows 2008 OS.
b. Note: only the Template needs to be labeled as Vista, once deployed all new VM’s should be configured for the correct OS.
More Information:
Virtual Center: Template Usage and Best Practices
Timekeeping in VMWare and Virtual Machines