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Prepare VMware Images Using cloud-init
This tutorial describes the steps to prepare Ubuntu and Centos images with cloud-init in PMO vSphere environment.
Cloud-init is the de-facto multi-distribution package that handles early initialization of a cloud instance. For more information on cloud-init, refer here: https://cloudinit.readthedocs.org/en/latest/
Step 1: Download cloud-init ISO
Download the iso for the preferred operating system from the links below.
Upload the iso to vSphere datastore using the Datastore browser. Note the location to use it in next step.
Step 3: Connect VM to datastore ISO
Create a Virtual Machine and edit VM settings before completion. Edit the CD ROM to point to the uploaded iso from Step 2. Check the option for connecting it at power on.
Step 4: Power on VM and install OS
Power on the VM and follow the steps for installation. Install vmware tools.
Step 5: Install the Platform9 Cloud-init Package
Ubuntu: apt-get install cloud-init
Centos: yum install cloud-init
Step 6: Create an image
Power off the VM
Remove NIC and CD ROMs attached to the VM
Image can be created as a template or as a vmdk
Template: Convert the VM to a template and save it on a datastore that is authorized for Platform9 nova compute. The template will be available for provisioning in 10 mins.
VMDK: Download the VM’s vmdk from the datastore and upload it to glance as an image using Glance command line client.
Optional – Download and deploy Prebuilt Images
Prebuilt images are available in your Platform9 UI under Images -> Download Prebuiltimages. The prebuilt images are available in 2 formats, OVA and vmdk. The vmdk can be added to the PMO image catalog by uploading it using Glance command line client. The OVA can be deployed to vCenter using “Deploy OVF template” option. Once deployed, it can be converted into template or the VM’s vmdk can be uploaded to the PMO image catalog.
