We first start of by creating a VM template for us to consume. As per our datacenter, this is the layout we follow for building new servers.
- Create a new virtual machine – fifteen character limit.
- Typical configuration of a Windows 2016/2019 VM
- C: 60 GB
- Page Drive – 1.5 times RAM size
- 2 vCPU with Hot-Add
- 6GB vMEM with Hot-Add
- VMXNET3 Network adapter
- The latest version of VMtools
- VM hardware version to match that of the host
Sysprep for Windows vSphere VM’s
VM deployments will face duplicate SID issues, hence we need to prepare a VM with Sysprep.
Before converting a VM to a template, run these steps on the Windows OS
Browse to C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe
Ensure ‘System Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)’ is selected and Tick the ‘Generalize’ option and Select ‘Shutdown’ from the Shutdown Options.
You can do the same by running the following command inside the template VM
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sysprep.exe /oobe /generalize /shutdown /mode:vm |
Once the VM has shutdown, convert it to template for building new virtual machines
Use the option customize using an existing customization specification
SelectVM Customization and Click New
Summary of all details in VM customisation file is listed below
Create a new VM from template
Select the datastore location
As you get to this section, highlight these two sections
Click Next and proceed
As new VM’s are deployed, after its first power up, this will trigger sysprep process inside.
The new VM thus created will have no SID issues and willl be added to the domain by itself.