VMware's PowerCLI with PowerShell Core and Python for ImageBuilder Support in Linux. For those who need to mount, edit and re-package ISO images from ImageBuilder, this container also has the appropriate system tools to do so. Published for 64-bit x86 and ARM architectures.
This container is based on Ubuntu 20.04, contains both xorriso and mkisofs packages (for repacking ISO images) and has the following software installed, per the Compatibility Matrixes for VMware PowerCLI 13.1.0 and Compatibility Matrixes for VMware PowerCLI 13.0.0:
- .NET Core 3.1 (which is now End of Support)
- PowerShell Core 7.2 LTS (Automated)
- Python 3.7 (via "deadsnakes" team)
- VMware PowerCLI 13.1.0 (for
x64) or 13.0.0 (forARM64)
NOTE:
- Python is configured per requirements outlined in Install and Configure Python on Linux
- For
ARM64(aka Apple Silicone) users, there is a bug in PowerCLI 13.1.0 with ImageBuilder and it will not run so,ARM64images contain PowerCLI 13.0.0. VMware states its due to one of their modules not being compiled for ARM and have provided no ETA on when they'll fix it. Until then, I am keeping PowerCLI 13.0.0 for ARM64 images.
- Container's non-root user is
coder - Container defaults to using user
coderwhen ran - If leveraging Image Builder and/or
mkisofs, it is assumed and recommended that a volume will be mapped to/home/coder/filesfor sharing files between Host and Container
For most use cases where the intent is to only use PowerCLI (without Image Builder):
docker run -it jmcombs/vmware-powercliIf the intent is to use PowerCLI with Image Builder and use xorriso to repackage modified Images, a volume will need to be mapped:
docker run -it --volume=/your/local/filesystem/files:/home/coder/files jmcombs/vmware-powercliIf the intent is to use PowerCLI with Image Builder and use mkisofs to repackage modified Images, a volume will need to be mapped mkisofs requires the container to be ran in Privileged Mode
docker run -it --privileged --volume=/your/local/filesystem/files:/home/coder/files jmcombs/vmware-powercliThe following are instructions for
- Adding VIBs to Image Builder
- Cloning an ESXi Image Profile (Offline Bundle)
- Adding VIBs to Cloned Image
- Exporting to ISO
- Has the following VIBs:
- Is using the
VMware-ESXi-7.0U3g-20328353-depot.zipESXi Offline Bundle - Cloned Image Profile is named
ESXi-7.0U3g-nuc12-syn - Exported ISO file is named
VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U3g-20328353.x86_64.nuc12-syn.iso - Location of files is in
/home/coder/files
- It is assumed the user has access to download software from VMware
- Add VIBs
PS /home/coder/files> Get-EsxSoftwarePackage -PackageUrl /home/coder/files/Synology_bootbank_synology-nfs-vaai-plugin_2.0-1109.vib Name Version Vendor Creation Date ---- ------- ------ ------------- synology-nfs-vaai-plugin 2.0-1109 Synology 10/25/2021 2:34… PS /home/coder/files> Get-EsxSoftwarePackage -PackageUrl /home/coder/files/VMW_bootbank_net-community_1.2.7.0-1vmw.700.1.0.15843807.vib Name Version Vendor Creation Date ---- ------- ------ ------------- net-community 1.2.7.0-1vmw.700.1.0.15843807 VMW 3/10/2022 9:21:…- Confirm VIBs were added
PS /home/coder/files> Get-EsxSoftwarePackage Name Version Vendor Creation Date ---- ------- ------ ------------- net-community 1.2.7.0-1vmw.700.1.0.15843807 VMW 3/10/2022 9:21:… synology-nfs-vaai-plugin 2.0-1109 Synology 10/25/2021 2:34…- Add ESXi Offline Bundle
PS /home/coder/files> Add-EsxSoftwareDepot -DepotUrl /home/coder/files/VMware-ESXi-7.0U3g-20328353-depot.zip Depot Url --------- zip:/home/coder/files/VMware-ESXi-7.0U3g-20328353-depot.zip?index.xml- Confirm Offline Bundle was added
PS /home/coder/files> Get-EsxImageProfile Name Vendor Last Modified Acceptance Level ---- ------ ------------- ---------------- ESXi-7.0U3g-20328353-no-tools VMware, Inc. 8/23/2022 3:00… PartnerSupported ESXi-7.0U3g-20328353-standard VMware, Inc. 9/1/2022 12:00… PartnerSupported- (Optional) List all Software Packages to confirm all packages from Offline Bundle and previously added VIBs are listed
PS /home/coder/files> Get-EsxSoftwarePackage Name Version Vendor Creation Date ---- ------- ------ ------------- net-community 1.2.7.0-1vmw.700.1.0.15843807 VMW 3/10/2022 9:21:… synology-nfs-vaai-plugin 2.0-1109 Synology 10/25/2021 2:34… < Text omitted for brevity. Should match output in Step 10 >- Clone ESXi Image Profile (from Step 4)
PS /home/coder/files> New-EsxImageProfile -Vendor "VMware, Inc." -CloneProfile ESXi-7.0U3g-20328353-standard -Name ESXi-7.0U3g-nuc12-syn -AcceptanceLevel PartnerSupported Name Vendor Last Modified Acceptance Level ---- ------ ------------- ---------------- ESXi-7.0U3g-nuc12-syn VMware, Inc. 9/1/2022 12:00… PartnerSupported- Add VIBs to new ESXi Image Profile
PS /home/coder/files> Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile ESXi-7.0U3g-nuc12-syn -SoftwarePackage synology-nfs-vaai-plugin -Confirm Name Vendor Last Modified Acceptance Level ---- ------ ------------- ---------------- ESXi-7.0U3g-nuc12-syn VMware, Inc. 12/13/2022 9:2… PartnerSupported PS /home/coder/files> Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile ESXi-7.0U3g-nuc12-syn -SoftwarePackage net-community -Confirm Name Vendor Last Modified Acceptance Level ---- ------ ------------- ---------------- ESXi-7.0U3g-nuc12-syn VMware, Inc. 12/13/2022 9:2… PartnerSupported- Confirm all VIBs are in Cloned ESXi Image Profile
PS /home/coder/files> (Get-EsxImageProfile -Name ESXi-7.0U3g-nuc12-syn).VibList Name Version Vendor Creation Date ---- ------- ------ ------------- net-community 1.2.7.0-1vmw.700.1.0.15843807 VMW 3/10/2022 9:21:… mtip32xx-native 3.9.8-1vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… iser 1.1.0.1-1vmw.703.0.50.20036589 VMW 6/30/2022 2:35:… cpu-microcode 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:02:… esx-base 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:02:… elx-esx-libelxima.so 12.0.1200.0-4vmw.703.0.20.191… VMware 1/11/2022 11:22… nmlx4-en 3.19.16.8-2vmw.703.0.20.19193… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… qfle3i 1.0.15.0-15vmw.703.0.20.19193… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… lsi-mr3 7.718.02.00-1vmw.703.0.20.191… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… pvscsi 0.1-4vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… qflge 1.1.0.11-1vmw.703.0.20.191939… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… lsuv2-oem-lenovo-plugin 1.0.0-1vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMware 1/11/2022 11:22… esx-update 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:02:… nmlx5-core 4.19.16.11-1vmw.703.0.20.1919… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… vdfs 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:03:… vsanhealth 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:03:… nhpsa 70.0051.0.100-4vmw.703.0.20.1… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… crx 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:03:… lsi-msgpt35 19.00.02.00-1vmw.703.0.20.191… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… esxio-combiner 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:03:… vmware-esx-esxcli-nvme-… 1.2.0.44-1vmw.703.0.20.191939… VMware 1/11/2022 11:22… bnxtnet 216.0.50.0-44vmw.703.0.50.200… VMW 6/30/2022 2:35:… esx-dvfilter-generic-fa… 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:02:… esx-xserver 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:02:… nmlx4-rdma 3.19.16.8-2vmw.703.0.20.19193… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… synology-nfs-vaai-plugin 2.0-1109 Synology 10/25/2021 2:34… nvmxnet3 2.0.0.30-1vmw.703.0.20.191939… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… irdman 1.3.1.22-1vmw.703.0.50.200365… VMW 6/30/2022 2:35:… lsuv2-intelv2-nvme-vmd-… 2.7.2173-1vmw.703.0.20.191939… VMware 1/11/2022 11:22… nmlx4-core 3.19.16.8-2vmw.703.0.20.19193… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… iavmd 2.7.0.1157-2vmw.703.0.20.1919… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… rste 2.0.2.0088-7vmw.703.0.20.1919… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… lsuv2-nvme-pcie-plugin 1.0.0-1vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMware 1/11/2022 11:22… elxnet 12.0.1250.0-5vmw.703.0.20.191… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… trx 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:03:… nvmerdma 1.0.3.5-1vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… nvmetcp 1.0.0.1-1vmw.703.0.35.19482537 VMW 3/11/2022 2:12:… vsan 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:03:… bmcal 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:03:… lsuv2-lsiv2-drivers-plu… 1.0.0-12vmw.703.0.50.20036589 VMware 6/30/2022 2:36:… gc 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:02:… qcnic 1.0.15.0-14vmw.703.0.20.19193… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… elxiscsi 12.0.1200.0-9vmw.703.0.20.191… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… igbn 1.4.11.2-1vmw.703.0.20.191939… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… sfvmk 2.4.0.2010-6vmw.703.0.20.1919… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… bnxtroce 216.0.58.0-23vmw.703.0.50.200… VMW 6/30/2022 2:35:… nvme-pcie 1.2.3.16-1vmw.703.0.20.191939… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… vmkfcoe 1.0.0.2-1vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… ixgben 1.7.1.35-1vmw.703.0.20.191939… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… ionic-en 16.0.0-16vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… lpfc 14.0.169.26-5vmw.703.0.50.200… VMW 6/30/2022 2:35:… icen 1.4.1.20-1vmw.703.0.50.200365… VMW 6/30/2022 2:35:… lsi-msgpt3 17.00.12.00-1vmw.703.0.20.191… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… atlantic 1.0.3.0-8vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… lsuv2-smartpqiv2-plugin 1.0.0-8vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMware 1/11/2022 11:22… nvmxnet3-ens 2.0.0.22-1vmw.703.0.20.191939… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… qfle3f 1.0.51.0-22vmw.703.0.20.19193… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… ntg3 4.1.7.0-0vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… ne1000 0.9.0-1vmw.703.0.50.20036589 VMW 6/30/2022 2:35:… vmw-ahci 2.0.11-1vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… brcmfcoe 12.0.1500.2-3vmw.703.0.20.191… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… qlnativefc 4.1.14.0-26vmw.703.0.20.19193… VMware 1/11/2022 11:21… loadesx 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:02:… qedentv 3.40.5.53-22vmw.703.0.20.1919… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… qfle3 1.0.67.0-22vmw.703.0.20.19193… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… lsuv2-oem-dell-plugin 1.0.0-1vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMware 1/11/2022 11:22… smartpqi 70.4149.0.5000-1vmw.703.0.20.… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… native-misc-drivers 7.0.3-0.55.20328353 VMware 8/23/2022 2:02:… vmkusb 0.1-7vmw.703.0.50.20036589 VMW 6/30/2022 2:35:… lpnic 11.4.62.0-1vmw.703.0.20.19193… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… vmkata 0.1-1vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… qedrntv 3.40.5.53-18vmw.703.0.20.1919… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… nfnic 4.0.0.70-1vmw.703.0.20.191939… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… i40en 1.11.1.31-1vmw.703.0.20.19193… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… lsi-msgpt2 20.00.06.00-4vmw.703.0.20.191… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… tools-light 12.0.0.19345655-20036586 VMware 6/30/2022 1:04:… esx-ui 1.43.8-19798623 VMware 5/13/2022 11:32… nenic 1.0.33.0-1vmw.703.0.20.191939… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21… lsuv2-hpv2-hpsa-plugin 1.0.0-3vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMware 1/11/2022 11:22… lsuv2-oem-hp-plugin 1.0.0-1vmw.703.0.20.19193900 VMware 1/11/2022 11:22… nmlx5-rdma 4.19.16.11-1vmw.703.0.20.1919… VMW 1/11/2022 11:21…- Export Cloned ESXi Image Profile to ISO
PS /home/coder/files> Export-EsxImageProfile -ImageProfile ESXi-7.0U3g-nuc12-syn -ExportToIso -FilePath /home/coder/files/VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U3g-20328353.x86_64.nuc12-syn.iso -NoSignatureCheck- Happy ESXi Installing!
The following are instructions for
- This is the recommended approach
- Mounting an ESXi ISO image
- Copying ESXi ISO image to a temporary location (for modification) & Repackaging using
xorriso
- Is using an ESXi
7.0U3gISO image created with Image Builder which includes Community Networking Driver for ESXi and Synology NFS Plug-in for VMware VAAI VIBs - Image Builder ISO file is named
VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U3g-20328353.x86_64.nuc12-syn.iso - Repackaged ISO file is named
custom_esxi.iso - Location of files is in
/home/coder/files
- It is assumed the user knows how to modify an ESXi Image (adding Kickstart scripts, modifying
boot.cfg, creating Boot Menus, etc.) and, as such, are not demonstrated below
- Verify ISO Information
isoinfo -d -i ./VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U3g-20328353.x86_64.nuc12-syn.iso CD-ROM is in ISO 9660 format System id: Volume id: ESXI-7.0U3G-NUC12-SYN Volume set id: Publisher id: Data preparer id: Application id: ESXIMAGE Copyright File id: Abstract File id: Bibliographic File id: Volume set size is: 1 Volume set sequence number is: 1 Logical block size is: 2048 Volume size is: 196201 El Torito VD version 1 found, boot catalog is in sector 1419 NO Joliet present NO Rock Ridge present Eltorito validation header: Hid 1 Arch 0 (x86) ID '' Key 55 AA Eltorito defaultboot header: Bootid 88 (bootable) Boot media 0 (No Emulation Boot) Load segment 0 Sys type 0 Nsect 4 Bootoff 4699 18073- Create temporary folder for ESXi Installer (for modifications to boot commands, adding kickstart scripts, adding boot loader menus, etc)
mkdir /home/coder/files/custom_esxi_cdrom/- Extract ESXi installer files from mounted ISO to temporary folder and change permissions (to enable editing):
osirrox -indev ./VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U3l-21424296.x86_64.nuc-syn.iso -extract / ./custom_esxi_cdrom/ chmod -R u+w /home/coder/files/custom_esxi_cdrom- Make changes to ESXi Installer
- Create new ESXi Installer ISO
cd /home/coder/files/custom_esxi_cdrom xorriso -as mkisofs -relaxed-filenames -joliet-long --norock -appid ESXIMAGE -volid ESXI70U3G_NUC12-SYN -output /home/coder/files/custom_esxi.iso -eltorito-boot ISOLINUX.BIN -eltorito-catalog BOOT.CAT -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table -eltorito-alt-boot -eltorito-platform 0xEF -e EFIBOOT.IMG -no-emul-boot /home/coder/files/custom_esxi_cdromNOTE: --norock is for ESXi Images only
- Happy ESXi Installing!
The following are instructions for
- Mounting an ESXi ISO image
- Copying ESXi ISO image to a temporary location (for modification)
- Repackaging using
mkisofs
- Is using an ESXi
7.0U3gISO image created with Image Builder which includes Community Networking Driver for ESXi and Synology NFS Plug-in for VMware VAAI VIBs - Image Builder ISO file is named
VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U3g-20328353.x86_64.nuc12-syn.iso - Repackaged ISO file is named
custom_esxi.iso - Location of files is in
/home/coder/files
- It is assumed the user knows how to modify an ESXi Image (adding Kickstart scripts, modifying
boot.cfg, creating Boot Menus, etc.) and, as such, are not demonstrated below
- Verify ISO Information
isoinfo -d -i ./VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U3g-20328353.x86_64.nuc12-syn.iso CD-ROM is in ISO 9660 format System id: Volume id: ESXI-7.0U3G-NUC12-SYN Volume set id: Publisher id: Data preparer id: Application id: ESXIMAGE Copyright File id: Abstract File id: Bibliographic File id: Volume set size is: 1 Volume set sequence number is: 1 Logical block size is: 2048 Volume size is: 196201 El Torito VD version 1 found, boot catalog is in sector 1419 NO Joliet present NO Rock Ridge present Eltorito validation header: Hid 1 Arch 0 (x86) ID '' Key 55 AA Eltorito defaultboot header: Bootid 88 (bootable) Boot media 0 (No Emulation Boot) Load segment 0 Sys type 0 Nsect 4 Bootoff 4699 18073- Create temporary folder for and mount ESXi Installer ISO Image
sudo mkdir /mnt/esxi_cdrom sudo mount -o loop /home/coder/files/VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0U3g-20328353.x86_64.nuc12-syn.iso /mnt/esxi_cdrom mount: /mnt/esxi_cdrom: WARNING: device write-protected, mounted read-only.- Create temporary folder for ESXi Installer (for modifications to boot commands, adding kickstart scripts, adding boot loader menus, etc)
sudo mkdir /home/coder/files/custom_esxi_cdrom/- Copy ESXi installer files from mounted ISO to temporary folder and change permissions (to enable editing)
cp -r /mnt/esxi_cdrom/* /home/coder/files/custom_esxi_cdrom/ chmod -R u+w /home/coder/files/custom_esxi_cdrom- Unmount ESXi Installer ISO and remove temporary mountpoint
sudo umount /mnt/esxi_cdrom/ sudo rmdir /mnt/esxi_cdrom/- Make changes to ESXi Installer
- Create new ESXi Installer ISO
cd /home/coder/files/custom_esxi_cdrom mkisofs -relaxed-filenames -J -R -A ESXIMAGE -V ESXI70U3G_NUC12-SYN -o /home/coder/files/custom_esxi.iso -b isolinux.bin -c boot.cat -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table -eltorito-alt-boot -eltorito-platform -e efiboot.img -no-emul-boot /home/coder/files/custom_esxi_cdrom- Happy ESXi Installing!