User`s guide

Table Of Contents
What to do next
Using VCM, you install distributions on target machines. See "Getting Started with Operating System
Provisioning" on page 199.
Using the basicimport Command Options
You use the basicimport command-line options to import UNIX, Linux, ESX, or Windows distributions
into the OS Provisioning Server repository.
Option Description
-h
Help. Displays and describes the basicimport options.
-d
Directory. Path to the media source directory. This option is required when
you import OS distributions issued on more than one media item, such as
multiple DVDs.
-i
ISO file. Path and image name for the distribution. Used with importing
distributions issued on one media source, such as a Red Hat distribution on a
single DVD.
-l
Deployment IP address of the OS Provisioning Server.
-n
Family name. For example, ESX or Windows.
-V
Family version. For example, 4.0u1 or 2008r2sp2.
-a
Family Architecture. For example, i386 or x86_64.
-p
Provenance. Distribution source. For example, CD, hotfix, or SP.
-t
ISO build type. For example, retail or volume. Applies only to Windows
Server 2008 R2, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2003.
Table 31. basicimport Command Options
Working with Custom Linux ISO Distributions
The OS Provisioning Server in VCM allows you to import custom Red Hat and SUSE ISO images into the
repository and then to install the custom distributions on target machines.
To support standard and custom ISO images, OS Provisioning Server includes required package lists for
each supported ISO. If your custom ISO is missing any of the packages specified in the list, or is missing
any of the dependencies specified by the required packages, you can import the ISO into the repository,
but the installation of a distribution lacking a required or dependency package may fail.
To provide you with the flexibility to use OS provisioning to install your custom distribution, you have the
two options.
n
Add the missing required packages back into the ISO and re-import it into the repository. Run the
Provision wizard again to create a new configured session with the updated distribution. The
installation of the distribution on the target machines will proceed without an error and the required list
remains as it was provided in the OS Provisioning Server.
n
Modify the required package list by removing the package names from the list. The installation of the
distribution on the target machines will proceed without an error unless there are missing dependency
packages.
vCenter Configuration Manager Installation and Getting Started Guide
38 VMware, Inc.