How to Install VMware VCenter 7.0 Step By Step(CLI)

The CLI deployment method involves running a CLI command against a JSON file that we prepared below. The CLI installer parses values from the JSON file and generates an OVF Tool command that automatically deploys and sets up the appliance. The CLI deployment automatically runs both stage 1 then stage 2, with no user interaction required.

The CLI method is a great way to save our time and it works magically with automation stuff.

Note:

• If the target host is part of the vSphere cluster make sure DRS wont migrate the VM during deployment process otherwise it fails.

• I used time_tools_sync here, as I don't configure NTP server if you need to configure NTP then use the ntp_servers entry.

1. {

2. "__version": "2.13.0",

3. "__comments": "Sample template to deploy a vCenter Server Appliance with an embedded Platform Services Controller on an ESXi host.",

4. "new_vcsa": {

5. "esxi": {

6. "hostname": "192.168.1.180",

7. "username": "root",

8. "password": "VMware123!",

9. "deployment_network": "VM Network",

10. "datastore": "iDataStore02"

11. },

12. "appliance": {

13. "thin_disk_mode": true,

14. "deployment_option": "tiny",

15. "name": "vcsa03.tanzu.local"

16. },

17. "network": {

18. "ip_family": "ipv4",

19. "mode": "static",

20. "system_name": "vcsa03.tanzu.local",

21. "ip": "192.168.1.190",

22. "prefix": "24",

23. "gateway": "192.168.1.1",

24. "dns_servers":[

25. "192.168.1.2"

26. ]

27. },

28. "os": {

29. "password": "VMware123!",

30. "time_tools_sync": true,

31. "ssh_enable": false

32. },

33. "sso": {

34. "password": "VMware123!",

35. "domain_name": "tanzu.local"

36. }

37. },

38. "ceip": {

39. "settings": {

40. "ceip_enabled": false

41. }

42. }

43. }

Copy the above file and save with embedded_vCSA_on_ESXi.json extension and navigate to the VCSA installer folder (Example H:\vcsa-cli-installer\win32>)

Before the actual deployment kickstart run the pre-check validation to verify all the deployment configs are valid.

vcsa-deploy.exe install --precheck-only --accept-eula "D:\embedded_vCSA_on_ESXi.json"

Once all the prechecks are succeeded then you may proceed with the actual deployment process.

vcsa-deploy.exe install --accept-eula "D:\embedded_vCSA_on_ESXi.json"

The deployment is successful and access the vCenter using the login information provided above.

Thanks for your time in reading the blog post, Happy Learning!!