Twitter: langonej

Additional Info

User login

Use Powershell to Deploy Hundreds of VMs based on a Template (w/Customization)

I had an immediate need to deploy scores of virtual machines based off the same template and customization, which lead me to my first foray with Powershell. For those that follow this site, you'll know that PHP or Perl are much more comfortable for me, but alas, it's time to try what everyone is talking about.

I was pleasantly surprised by how little code was needed. I'm lazy and didn't do a for loop to numerically increment. Many thanks to this post on halfbyte.com and this post on NTPRO.NL, especially Eric Sloof's reminder to set the confirm flag.


#****************************************************

#Script to Deploy Multiple VMs from Template

#v1.0

#Written by: Jason Langone

#Many thanks to: Blog.Halfbyte.com and NTPRO.NL

#*****************************************************
Connect-VIServer -Server ntc-vcstg -Protocol https -User JensonButton -Password reardiffuser
Get-VMHost
$host1 = "esx3.test.local"
$template = "Win2K3"
$datastore = "NetAppFTW_1"
$customization = "Win2K3"
for($i = 1; $i -le 10; $i++)
{
$tempvm = "vServer-"+$i
$array += $tempvm
}
foreach ($vm in $array)
{
$vm=New-VM -Name $vm -Template $template -Host $host1 -Datastore $datastore -OSCustomizationSpec $customization -Confirm:$false
}

This will create 10 VMs named, "vServer-1," "vServer-2," ..., "vServer-10."

Many more Powershell scripts to come!

Ideal

Submitted by martina783 on Mon, 08/09/2010 - 03:22.

Thank you for your detailed post.

online payday loan lenders

How about $vmhost1=

Submitted by Sasha on Wed, 12/16/2009 - 12:47.

How about
$vmhost1= get-vmhost saesx07
$vmhost2= get-vmhost saesx08
$oscust=get-oscustomizationspec windows7II
$parent= get-template windows7view
$datastore =get-datastore xenapp

1..10 |foreach-object {New-VM -vmhost $vmhost2 -name "Stormtest$_" -template $parent -datastore $datastore -OSCustomizationSpec $oscust -confirm:$false}

With U1 you can use the new-vm to create one from a template and customize it.

Help!!! :o)

Submitted by cesarotorres on Sat, 11/14/2009 - 19:32.

I am having problem with the script. The script return the following error when I try to run it. Your assistance will be highly appreciated, thank you in advance.

Value cannot be found for the mandatory parameter VMHost
At :line:23 char:10
+ $vm=New-VM <<<< -Name $vm -Template $template -Host $host1 -Datastore $datastore -OSCustomizationSpec $customization -Confirm:$false

THIS IS WHAT I DID......

Connect-VIServer -Server hart-u500.net.ccci.org -Protocol https -User Omar.Torres -Password ******
Get-VMHost
$host1 = "hart-u600"
$template = "XP Desktop"
$datastore = "LUN02"
$customization = "CCDev"
for($i = 09; $i -le 12; $i++)
{
$tempvm = "Hart-CCDev-"+$i
$array += $tempvm
}
foreach ($vm in $array)
{
$vm=New-VM -Name $vm -Template $template -Host $host1 -Datastore $datastore -OSCustomizationSpec $customization -Confirm:$false
}

Accolades






Video

"Green IT" - Leveraging VMware to provide a green datacenter.

Preview of the upcoming VMware View iPad App with PCoIP support.

Ubertechnik 350Z at VIR.

Latest from Disqus

Consulting Gigs

CURRENT GIGS for 1099 VCP's

  • * VMware Site Recovery Manager Consultant.

    Status: FILLED.


    Duration: 3 Weeks

    Location: Reston, VA

    Clearance: None

  • * Senior Solaris Consultant.

    Duration: 3+ Weeks

    Location: Reston, VA

    Clearance: TS SCI

Note: All 1099 consultants must be a current VCP.