VmWare/QuickReference

Revision as of 00:54, 19 July 2013

clone

clone virtual machines and copy their own unique vmdk image to folder

1. create the new VM choose custom settings
2. select the existing Virtual Machine Image (base)
3. finish creating
4. ssh into box
5. copy vmdk using: vmkfstools -i <source> <destination> -d thin (NOT the data file -flat.vmdk)
6. when copy is complete, using vi, edit .vmx file in new VM directory. Point the data store (hdd file location) to the new copy that is now in the same folder
7. start up VM
8. shut down vm, double check and make sure store is showing in the correct location. Virtual Machine > Edit Settings > Hard Disk > review Disk File

notes: until the virtual machine is started for the first time, the Disk File location will still show as the prior location.

i.e.
/vmfs/volumes/511a8041-9e4d7168-27f2-001cc46b0828/Windows XP Pro x32 - Outlook 2003_2 # vmkfstools -i /vmfs/volumes/
datastore2\ -\ RAID5/Windows\ XP\ Pro\ x32\ -\ Outlook\ 2003/Windows\ XP\ Pro\ x32\ -\ Outlook\ 2003.vmdk /vmfs/volumes
/datastore2\ -\ RAID5/Windows\ XP\ Pro\ x32\ -\ Outlook\ 2003_2/Windows\ XP\ Pro\ x32\ -\ Outlook\ 2003_2.vmdk -d thin

add cronjob to esxi 5.1

1. edit /etc/rc.local.d/local.sh

/bin/kill $(cat /var/run/crond.pid)
/bin/echo '5 0 * * * /full/path/to/script arguments/with/full/path > /full/path/to/logfile 2>&1' >> /var/spool/cron/crontabs/root
/bin/busybox crond

expand harddisk space on winxp and other non-modifyable vms

1. create a new hard disk in the vm that is the desired size
2. attach ubcd to the virtual cdrom and boot off disc (esc at POST)
3. using hd clone tool, copy wipe, perform a sector by sector copy from the source to the dest
4. remove old hard disk from virtual machine, verify you can boot off new hard disk. It will still show as smaller disk size.
5. attach ubcd to the virtaul cdrom and boot off disc (esc at POST)
6. using Parted Magic, use gparted and resize the disk incorporate the new free space
7. reboot and verify