Steps to deploy VCSA 6.5 with CLI
- Download the vCenter Appliance 6.5 ISO file and extract it
- All the template to install, upgrade & migrate are in D:\vcsa-cli-installer\templates\ and we are going to modify the D:\vcsa-cli-installer\templates\install\embedded_vCSA_on_ESXi.json file to install the VCSA 6.5 in a single ESXi 6.5 host in this lab
- Modify the parameters according to your requirments
- esxi – EXSi host where you will deploy the new VCSA
- appliance – Select Thin mode, and deployment option = small
- network, os & sso – Basic information to setup VCSA
Sample of embedded_vCSA_on_ESXi.json which i’m using to deploy VCSA 6.5 in my lab later for your reference
{
"__version": "2.3.1",
"__comments": "Sample template to deploy a vCenter Server Appliance with an embedded Platform Services Controller on an ESXi host.",
"new.vcsa": {
"esxi": {
"hostname": "192.168.1.161",
"username": "root",
"password": "P@ssw0rd",
"deployment.network": "VM Network",
"datastore": "240"
},
"appliance": {
"thin.disk.mode": true,
"deployment.option": "small",
"name": "vcsa"
},
"network": {
"ip.family": "ipv4",
"mode": "static",
"ip": "192.168.1.170",
"dns.servers": [
"192.168.1.200"
],
"prefix": "24",
"gateway": "192.168.1.1",
"system.name": "vcsa.mylab.local"
},
"os": {
"password": "P@ssw0rd",
"ssh.enable": true
},
"sso": {
"password": "P@ssw0rd",
"domain-name": "vsphere.local"
}
},
"ceip": {
"description": {
"__comments": [
"++++VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP)++++",
"VMware's Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) ",
"provides VMware with information that enables VMware to ",
"improve its products and services, to fix problems, ",
"and to advise you on how best to deploy and use our ",
"products. As part of CEIP, VMware collects technical ",
"information about your organization's use of VMware ",
"products and services on a regular basis in association ",
"with your organization's VMware license key(s). This ",
"information does not personally identify any individual. ",
"",
"Additional information regarding the data collected ",
"through CEIP and the purposes for which it is used by ",
"VMware is set forth in the Trust & Assurance Center at ",
"http://www.vmware.com/trustvmware/ceip.html . If you ",
"prefer not to participate in VMware's CEIP for this ",
"product, you should disable CEIP by setting ",
"'ceip.enabled': false. You may join or leave VMware's ",
"CEIP for this product at any time. Please confirm your ",
"acknowledgement by passing in the parameter ",
"--acknowledge-ceip in the command line.",
"++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
]
},
"settings": {
"ceip.enabled": true
}
}
}
- Start to deploy VCSA 6.5
D:\vcsa-cli-installer\win32>vcsa-deploy.exe install --no-esx-ssl-verify --accept-eula --acknowledge-ceip "C:\Temp\embedded_vCSA_on_ESXi.json"
Detail Output of Installation Logs for reference
Run the installer with "-v" or "--verbose" to log detailed information
Execution Details:
[1] Result and Log File Information
[2] Template Syntax Validation
[3] Template Verification
[4] Gather Requirements
[5] Prechecks
[6] OVF Tool Execution
[7] Service Installation
[8] vCenter Service Configuration
[9] vCenter Server Deployment Summary
=========== [1] Result and Log File Information started at 02:08:29 ===========
Following result and log files will be generated...
The vCenter Server Appliance installer result file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-fggtpj\vcsa-cli-installer.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer log file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-fggtpj\vcsa-cli-installer.log
The vCenter Server Appliance installer metadata file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-fggtpj\vcsa-cli-installer-metadata.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer status file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-fggtpj\vcsa-cli-installer-status.json
The generated template file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-fggtpj\generated_install.json
============== [2] Template Syntax Validation started at 02:08:29 ==============
Validating json template syntax...
Illegal trailing character ',' before the closing bracket '}' on line 36
(character 1). You must remove the trailing ',' on line 34 (character 31).
=================================== 02:08:30 ===================================
Result and Log File Information...
The vCenter Server Appliance installer result file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-fggtpj\vcsa-cli-installer.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer log file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-fggtpj\vcsa-cli-installer.log
The vCenter Server Appliance installer metadata file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-fggtpj\vcsa-cli-installer-metadata.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer status file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-fggtpj\vcsa-cli-installer-status.json
The generated template file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-fggtpj\generated_install.json
D:\vcsa-cli-installer\win32>
D:\vcsa-cli-installer\win32>vcsa-deploy.exe install --no-esx-ssl-verify --accept-eula --acknowledge-ceip "C:\Temp\embedded_vCSA_on_ESXi.json"
Run the installer with "-v" or "--verbose" to log detailed information
Execution Details:
[1] Result and Log File Information
[2] Template Syntax Validation
[3] Template Verification
[4] Gather Requirements
[5] Prechecks
[6] OVF Tool Execution
[7] Service Installation
[8] vCenter Service Configuration
[9] vCenter Server Deployment Summary
=========== [1] Result and Log File Information started at 02:08:58 ===========
Following result and log files will be generated...
The vCenter Server Appliance installer result file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-3zysnt\vcsa-cli-installer.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer log file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-3zysnt\vcsa-cli-installer.log
The vCenter Server Appliance installer metadata file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-3zysnt\vcsa-cli-installer-metadata.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer status file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-3zysnt\vcsa-cli-installer-status.json
The generated template file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-3zysnt\generated_install.json
============== [2] Template Syntax Validation started at 02:08:58 ==============
Validating json template syntax...
Illegal trailing character ',' before the closing bracket '}' on line 35
(character 1). You must remove the trailing ',' on line 34 (character 31).
=================================== 02:08:58 ===================================
Result and Log File Information...
The vCenter Server Appliance installer result file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-3zysnt\vcsa-cli-installer.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer log file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-3zysnt\vcsa-cli-installer.log
The vCenter Server Appliance installer metadata file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-3zysnt\vcsa-cli-installer-metadata.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer status file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-3zysnt\vcsa-cli-installer-status.json
The generated template file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-08-3zysnt\generated_install.json
D:\vcsa-cli-installer\win32>vcsa-deploy.exe install --no-esx-ssl-verify --accept-eula --acknowledge-ceip "C:\Temp\embedded_vCSA_on_ESXi.json"
Run the installer with "-v" or "--verbose" to log detailed information
Execution Details:
[1] Result and Log File Information
[2] Template Syntax Validation
[3] Template Verification
[4] Gather Requirements
[5] Prechecks
[6] OVF Tool Execution
[7] Service Installation
[8] vCenter Service Configuration
[9] vCenter Server Deployment Summary
=========== [1] Result and Log File Information started at 02:09:31 ===========
Following result and log files will be generated...
The vCenter Server Appliance installer result file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-09-wnlivm\vcsa-cli-installer.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer log file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-09-wnlivm\vcsa-cli-installer.log
The vCenter Server Appliance installer metadata file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-09-wnlivm\vcsa-cli-installer-metadata.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer status file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-09-wnlivm\vcsa-cli-installer-status.json
The generated template file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-09-wnlivm\generated_install.json
============== [2] Template Syntax Validation started at 02:09:31 ==============
Validating json template syntax...
Template syntax validation completed successfully.
================ [3] Template Verification started at 02:09:31 ================
Verifying template...
Template verification completed successfully.
=================================== 02:09:31 ===================================
Starting vCenter Server Appliance installer to deploy "vcsa"...
This appliance is a vCenter Server instance with an embedded Platform Services
Controller.
================= [4] Gather Requirements started at 02:09:31 =================
Gathering Requirements...
Gathering requirements completed successfully.
=================================== 02:09:31 ===================================
Generating template...
====================== [5] Prechecks started at 02:09:31 ======================
Performing prechecks...
Check target thumbprint: PASS
Check target credentials: PASS
Check Target vCenter Server appliance name: PASS
Check system type: PASS
Check target ESXi host or vCenter version: PASS
Check for OVA property availability: PASS
Check the host's configurations against the vCSA's CPU, memory and datastore
size requirements: PASS
Check VC management status of ESXi containers: PASS
Check target datastore free space: PASS
Check Single Sign-On Server identity: PASS
Check Single Sign-On Server credentials: PASS
Check whether the Single Sign-On Server is valid for the install type: PASS
Basic verification completed successfully.
================== [6] OVF Tool Execution started at 02:09:34 ==================
Running OVF Tool to deploy the OVF...
OVF Tool: Opening OVA source:
D:\vcsa-cli-installer\win32\..\..\vcsa\VMware-vCenter-Server-Appliance-6.5.0.23000-10964411_OVF10.ova
OVF Tool: The manifest does not validate
OVF Tool: Opening VI target: vi://[email protected]:443/
OVF Tool: Deploying to VI: vi://[email protected]:443/
OVF Tool: Disk progress: 99%
OVF Tool: Transfer Completed
OVF Tool: Powering on VM: vcsa
OVF Tool: Task progress: 44%
OVF Tool: Task Completed
OVF Tool: Completed successfully
================= [7] Service Installation started at 02:11:03 =================
Installing services...
Service Installation: Progress: 5% Setting up storage
Service Installation: Progress: 50% Installed
cis-upgrade-runner-6.5.0-10964411.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 54% Installed
VMware-unixODBC-2.3.2.vmw.2-6.5.0.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 55% Installed
vmware-lwis-6.2.0-7791794.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 59% Installed
vmware-certificate-server-6.5.0.4389-10555326.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 62% Installed
VMware-vmon-6.5.0-10964411.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 68% Installed
VMware-applmon-cloudvm-6.5.0-10964411.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 78% Installed
VMware-mbcs-6.5.0-10964411.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 78% Installed
VMware-vpxd-6.5.0-10964411.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 82% Installed
vmware-vmrc-6.5.0-10964411.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 82% Installed
VMware-content-library-6.5.0-10964411.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 85% Installed
vmware-autodeploy-6.5.0-0.0.10964411.noarch.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 86% Installed
VMware-sps-6.5.0-10964411.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 90% Installed
vmware-vsm-6.5.0-10964411.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 90% Installed
vsphere-client-6.5.0-10964411.noarch.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 91% Installed
VMware-perfcharts-6.5.0-10964411.x86_64.rpm
Service Installation: Progress: 95% Configuring the machine
vCenter Server Service installations succeeded.
============ [8] vCenter Service Configuration started at 02:24:48 ============
Configuring services for first time use...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 2% Starting VMware Authentication
Framework...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 5% Starting VMware Identity Management
Service...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 11% Starting VMware Service Lifecycle
Manager...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 17% Starting VMware Component
Manager...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 20% Starting VMware License Service...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 22% Starting VMware Platform Services
Controller Client...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 25% Starting VMware Service Control
Agent...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 28% Starting VMware vAPI Endpoint...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 31% Starting VMware Service Lifecycle
Manager API...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 34% Starting VMware Appliance
Management Service...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 51% Starting VMware vCenter-Services...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 58% Starting VMware vSphere Web
Client...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 59% Starting VMware vSphere Web
Client...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 60% Starting VMware vSphere Client...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 62% Starting VMware vCenter Server...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 65% Starting VMware Content Library
Service...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 68% Starting VMware ESX Agent
Manager...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 71% Starting VMware vSphere Auto Deploy
Waiter...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 74% Starting VMware vSphere
Profile-Driven Storage Service...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 77% Starting VMware Update Manager...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 82% Starting VMware vSphere
Authentication Proxy...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 85% Starting VMware VSAN Health
Service...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 88% Starting VMware vService Manager...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 91% Starting VMware Image Builder
Manager...
vCenter Service Configuration: Progress: 97% Starting VMware Performance
Charts...
First time configuration succeeded.
========== [9] vCenter Server Deployment Summary started at 02:32:09 ==========
Deployment Summary
=================================== 02:32:09 ===================================
vCenter Server Appliance installer finished deploying "vcsa".
This appliance is a vCenter Server instance with an embedded Platform Services
Controller.
System Name: vcsa.mylab.local
Log in as: [email protected]
Finished successfully.
=================================== 02:32:09 ===================================
Result and Log File Information...
The vCenter Server Appliance installer result file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-09-wnlivm\vcsa-cli-installer.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer log file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-09-wnlivm\vcsa-cli-installer.log
The vCenter Server Appliance installer metadata file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-09-wnlivm\vcsa-cli-installer-metadata.json
The vCenter Server Appliance installer status file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-09-wnlivm\vcsa-cli-installer-status.json
The generated template file:
c:\users\admini~1\appdata\local\temp\3\vcsaCliInstaller-2019-02-04-02-09-wnlivm\generated_install.json
Shutdown the VCSA 6.5 and reduce the RAM from 16GB to 4GB as we tested VCSA 6.5 with 4GB RAM is running smoothly in our previous lab enviroment.
Reference link
1. http://www.enterprisedaddy.com/2016/11/vcsa-deploy-install-vcsa65-cli/