Preparing an Ubuntu Template for use with the Holodeck Toolkit

Create Ubuntu Holo-Template

Overview

The vRealize Automation (VRA) labs in the Holodeck series make use of a standardized Ubuntu 18.04 based template.  This section covers the creation of this template prior to deploying VRA so the template can be included in the VRA setup.

Prerequisites

1. VLC-Holo-Site-1 configuration deployed
2. External network access from the Holo environment
3. On the Holo-Console, the VLC Holo Build directory available at C:\VLC\VLC-Holo-Site-1\Holo-Build

Task 1: Prep for VM build

In this task we will prepare the components needed to deploy the Ubuntu template used VMware vRealize Automation (vRA).  

[Step 1] Download Ubuntu 18.04 Cloud Image

1. Within Holo-Console, open Chrome and download the Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Daily Build
2. Copy this file to C:\VLC\VLC-Holo-Site-1\Holo-Build\
3. Rename the file to bionic.ova

Task 2: Build Template

In this task the automated build scripts are executed, and the output is verified.

[Step 1] Run Template generation scripts

1. From within the Holo-Console, click on Windows Start Menu->Windows PowerShell->Windows PowerShell
2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command:

 

cd C:\VLC\VLC-Holo-Site-1\Holo-Build

 

3. Type the following command:

 

 .\template-prep.ps1

4. The output resembles the following:

5. Enter the following command:

 

.\template.ps1

 

6. The script begins deploying Holo-Template within the nested VCF environment

7. The script takes approximately 5 minutes to complete
8. Wait for the process to complete successfully

Task 2: Prepare Holo-Template for lab use

This task prepares the Holo-Template for use in VRA.

[Step 1] Convert and shutdown Holo-Template

1. Connect to the nested vCenter server instance for the VCF Management Domain.
2. From the VM and Template view within the vSphere Client, click on Holo-Template
3. Click Launch Web Console

4. Login as the user ocuser with the password of VMware123!
5. Execute the following command: cd /etc/holodeck && sudo ./ubuntu-prepare.sh

6. The script updates the packages on the VM and then shuts down and powers off the VM
7. On the vSphere client, right click on Holo-Template->Edit Settings
8. Click the dropdown box for CD/DVD drive 1
9. Select the Client Device option

10. Click OK
11. On the vSphere client, right click on Holo-Template->Template->Convert to Template

12. Click Yes