Create vCenter Cluster with VMWare Workstation (2): ISO Photographs

Half two of this 5-part information walks you thru the steps to obtain the ISO information – ESXi, Home windows Server 2022, vCenter Server Equipment 8 – required for the lab.

Half 2 Overview

Downloading ESXi set up ISO requires the VMWare PowerCLI PowerShell module. In the meantime, utilizing the instructions within the PowerCLI to obtain ESXi ISO picture has some stipulations.

We might begin this information by putting in the PowerCLI PowerShell module, after which, the stipulations earlier than downloading the ISO.

Half two concludes with a fast step to obtain the Home windows Server 2022 ISO picture.

Step 1: Set up VMWare PowerCLI Module PowerShell Module

Register to the PC operating VMWare workstation and run PowerShell as Administrator. Then, to put in PowerCLI, run the instructions under:

#set up the NuGet bundle supplier: permits set up of modules from PSGallery 
Set up-PackageProvider -Identify NuGet -MinimumVersion 2.8.5.201 -Drive
#units PSGallery as a trusted repo to keep away from warnings and affirmation
Set-PSRepository -Identify PSGallery -InstallationPolicy Trusted  
#set up VMware PowerCLI  module (takes some time)      
Set up-Module VMware.PowerCLI -Verify:$false -AllowClobber -SkipPublisherCheck
#Set Execution Coverage to permit importing of downloaded modules
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Drive
#Import the PowerCLI module
Import-Module VMware.PowerCLI -Verbose | Out-Null
#stops the show to hitch VMWare's Buyer Expertise Enchancment Program ("CEIP")
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -Scope Consumer -ParticipateInCEIP $false -Verify:$false | Out-Null
#set vCenter connection invalid certificates motion
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -Verify:$false | Out-Null 

Step 2: Set up Python, PIP, and PowerCLI PIP Modules

As I discussed within the overview part earlier, PowerCLI has some stipulations. The principle ones are Python and PIP, however you additionally require some PIP modules for PowerCLI.

Comply with these steps to put in Python, PIP, and the required PowerCLI PIP modules.

1. Obtain Python 3.7.9 to the VMWare folder. Then, run the executable to put in it.

On the primary web page of the installer, examine the 2 checkboxes proven within the screenshot under. Then, choose the Customise set up possibility and be aware the trail Python is putting in.

#Default python set up path is:
C:Customers<consumer>AppDataLocalProgramsPythonPython37

2. Improve PIP

#Improve the PIP model put in with Python
# first, cd to the Python listing - keep in mind to alter the "<userName>" placeholder to your Home windows consumer identify.
cd "C:Customers<userName>AppDataLocalProgramsPythonPython37"
# improve PIP
.python.exe -m pip set up --upgrade pip

3. After that, set up the PIP modules six, psutil, lxml, and pyopenssl, – these PIP modules are required by PowerCLI.

#cd to C:Customers<userName>AppDataLocalProgramsPythonPython37Scripts
cd "C:Customers<userName>AppDataLocalProgramsPythonPython37Scripts"
#then set up the modules
.pip3.7.exe set up six psutil lxml pyopenssl

4. Lastly, configure PythonPath for PowerCLI.

#cd to the VMWare listing 
cd D:VMWare
#Then, set PowerCLI Python path - keep in mind to alter <userName> to your username
#Once you run the command, sort y and press enter to verify
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -PythonPath C:Customers<userName>AppDataLocalProgramsPythonPython37python.exe -Scope Consumer

Step 4: Obtain VMWare ESXi 7 ISO Picture

Shut PowerShell and re-open a brand new session earlier than continuing with these steps.

1. From PowerShell, cd to the VMWare folder.

#change the folder path, D:VMWare to the VMWAre folder path
cd "D:VMWare Workstation"

2. Obtain the VMWare ESXi ISO picture

The file obtain could take some time

#add the VMWare base picture depot to the PowerShell session
Add-EsxSoftwareDepot https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software program/VUM/PRODUCTION/fundamental/vmw-depot-index.xml
#Record all obtainable picture profiles on the above software program depot
#as of July 2024, there was no picture profile for ESXi 6.5. The oldest was 6.7
Get-EsxImageProfile
#obtain the VMWare ESXi 7 base picture 
Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-7.0.0-15843807-standard" -ExportToIso -filepath ESXi-7.0.0-15843807-standard.iso
#take away the VMWare base picture depot
Take away-EsxSoftwareDepot https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software program/VUM/PRODUCTION/fundamental/vmw-depot-index.xml

Step 5: Obtain a Home windows Server 2022 ISO

Obtain the Home windows Server 2022 ISO picture with this hyperlink. 

Step 6: Obtain vCenter 8 Equipment ISO

After I wrote this information in July 2024 I couldn’t obtain the vCenter Server Equipment 8 ISO from Broadcom (help.Broadcom.com). Ideally, it is best to be capable of use this obtain hyperlink (requires signing in to a Broadcom help account.

I needed to resort to downloading the ISO picture from this website – downloads.nfina.com.

Learn half 3: Create Lab VMs (hyperlink opens in a brand new browser tab).