To create a virtual machine using PowerCLI (VMware’s PowerShell-based command-line interface), you can follow these steps:
1-Launch the PowerCLI application or open a PowerShell session and connect to your vCenter server using the Connect-VIServer cmdlet. Provide the necessary information, such as the server IP address, username, and password.
Powershell Script
Connect-VIServer -Server <vCenter-IP> -User <username> -Password <password>
2-Create a new virtual machine configuration using the New-VM cmdlet. Specify the desired parameters such as the name, datastore, resource pool, and guest operating system.
Powershell Script
$vmName = “MyVM”
$datastore = “MyDatastore”
$resourcePool = “MyResourcePool”
$guestOS = “windows9_64Guest”
New-VM -Name $vmName -Datastore $datastore -ResourcePool $resourcePool -GuestId $guestOS
3-Set the virtual machine hardware specifications using the Set-VM cmdlet. You can define parameters like CPU, memory, network adapters, and disk sizes.
powershell Script
$vm = Get-VM -Name $vmName
Set-VM -VM $vm -NumCpu 2 -MemoryGB 4
# Add a network adapter
$networkAdapter = Add-NetworkAdapter -VM $vm -NetworkName “VM Network”
4-Customize the virtual machine settings, such as adding disks or modifying advanced options. Use the appropriate cmdlets like New-HardDisk or Set-VMAdvancedConfiguration.
powershell Script
# Add a new virtual disk
$newDisk = New-HardDisk -VM $vm -CapacityGB 100 -Persistence “IndependentPersistent” -StorageFormat “Thick”
# Modify advanced configuration
Set-VMAdvancedConfiguration -VM $vm -Name “isolation.tools.diskShrink.disable” -Value $true
5-Power on the virtual machine using the Start-VM cmdlet.
Powershell Script
Start-VM -VM $vm
