automate installing Fedora into VMWare using scripts

bruce badouglas at gmail.com
Sat Nov 6 18:04:17 UTC 2010


hi.

Trying to understand/figure out if it's possible to install fedora
into a vmware/vmdk virtual machine, using the cmdline/script process.

I can create the basic vmdk/vmx files using the something like:

  -set vdiskman="C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware
Workstation\vmware-vdiskmanager.exe"
  -set player="C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmplayer.exe"

  -md centos
  -%vdiskman% -c -s 20GB -a lsilogic -t 0 centos\centos.vmdk

  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx config.version = "8"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx virtualHW.version = "7"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx scsi0.present = "TRUE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx scsi0.virtualDev = "lsilogic"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx memsize = "1024"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx scsi0:0.present = "TRUE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx scsi0:0.fileName = "CentOS.vmdk"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx ide1:0.present = "TRUE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx ide1:0.autodetect = "TRUE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx ide1:0.deviceType = "cdrom-raw"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx floppy0.startConnected = "FALSE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx floppy0.fileName = ""
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx floppy0.autodetect = "TRUE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx ethernet0.present = "TRUE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx ethernet0.connectionType = "nat"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx ethernet0.wakeOnPcktRcv = "FALSE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx ethernet0.addressType = "generated"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx usb.present = "TRUE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx ehci.present = "TRUE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx sound.present = "TRUE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx serial0.present = "false"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx pciBridge0.present = "TRUE"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx vmci0.present = "false"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx displayName = "CentOS"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx guestOS = "centos"
  -echo >> centos\centos.vmx nvram = "CentOS.nvram"

  -%player% centos\centos.vmx

But then, I'm not sure what the next steps should be. At this point, I
think I have a virtual disk, so I'm wondering if it's possible to
somehow do an install into the VM/disk using yum.

Someone had mentioned that all I need to do is:
  step 3 : launch the VM from the install-media
  step 4 : interact with the VM and install it as needed
But the person neglected to state what the steps/process should be.

My goal is to be able to have a completely automated/scripted process
that doesn't require manual intervention.

My ultimate goal is to be able to have a VM of Fedora, that can then
be run using the vmplayer.

Any pointers/comments are welcome.


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