Hi All,
I have a sles11sp2 64bit based customised virtual machine targeted to run on ESXi5.0 and greater.
The vm is built in an automated fashion using susestudio. It does not have a cdrom drive.
I want to install vmware tools on this vm during the build itself.
One solution is to install it through OSPs (http://www.vmware.com/download/packages.html)
The document tells about using package managers (Ex. zypper) to install the vmware tools. But this is again a manual operation. i.e. cannot be integrated with the automated build system. (Please correct me if I am wrong.)
I then found vmware tools related rpms present at this location. And tried installing it in my vm.
http://packages.vmware.com/tools/esx/5.1/sles11.2/x86_64/index.html
Order of installing rpms which I followed:-
vmware-tools-foundation-9.0.0-4.x86_64.rpm
As you can see, the list has only minimal set of rpms which I currently require.
After completing the installation of these rpms one by one. The status shown on the vsphere client is one 'grey' icon saying 'Running 3rd-party/Independent'. This kb article explains more about this. http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2011350
Which means that "you cannot use vCenter Server to manage VMware Tools and you cannot use vSphere Update Manager to upgrade VMware Tools."
I think this is not a problem as far as tools functioning is concerned ?
What are the different and recommended ways of installing vmware tools during the vm build itself.?
Thanks
Nikunj
