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---
description: |
This VMware Packer builder is able to create VMware virtual machines from an
ISO file as a source. It currently supports building virtual machines on hosts
running VMware Fusion for OS X, VMware Workstation for Linux and Windows, and
VMware Player on Linux. It can also build machines directly on VMware vSphere
Hypervisor using SSH as opposed to the vSphere API.
layout: docs
page_title: 'VMware ISO - Builders'
sidebar_current: 'docs-builders-vmware-iso'
---
# VMware Builder (from ISO)
Type: `vmware-iso`
This VMware Packer builder is able to create VMware virtual machines from an ISO
file as a source. It currently supports building virtual machines on hosts
running [VMware Fusion](https://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/overview.html) for
OS X, [VMware
Workstation](https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation/overview.html) for Linux
and Windows, and [VMware Player](https://www.vmware.com/products/player/) on
Linux. It can also build machines directly on [VMware vSphere
Hypervisor](https://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere-hypervisor/) using SSH as
opposed to the vSphere API.
The builder builds a virtual machine by creating a new virtual machine from
scratch, booting it, installing an OS, provisioning software within the OS, then
shutting it down. The result of the VMware builder is a directory containing all
the files necessary to run the virtual machine.
## Basic Example
Here is a basic example. This example is not functional. It will start the OS
installer but then fail because we don't provide the preseed file for Ubuntu to
self-install. Still, the example serves to show the basic configuration:
``` json
{
"type": "vmware-iso",
"iso_url": "http://old-releases.ubuntu.com/releases/precise/ubuntu-12.04.2-server-amd64.iso",
"iso_checksum": "af5f788aee1b32c4b2634734309cc9e9",
"iso_checksum_type": "md5",
"ssh_username": "packer",
"shutdown_command": "shutdown -P now"
}
```
## Configuration Reference
There are many configuration options available for the VMware builder. They are
organized below into two categories: required and optional. Within each
category, the available options are alphabetized and described.
In addition to the options listed here, a
[communicator](/docs/templates/communicator.html) can be configured for this
builder.
### Required:
- `iso_checksum` (string) - The checksum for the OS ISO file. Because ISO
files are so large, this is required and Packer will verify it prior to
booting a virtual machine with the ISO attached. The type of the checksum is
specified with `iso_checksum_type`, documented below. At least one of
`iso_checksum` and `iso_checksum_url` must be defined. This has precedence
over `iso_checksum_url` type.
- `iso_checksum_type` (string) - The type of the checksum specified in
`iso_checksum`. Valid values are "none", "md5", "sha1", "sha256", or
"sha512" currently. While "none" will skip checksumming, this is not
recommended since ISO files are generally large and corruption does happen
from time to time.
- `iso_checksum_url` (string) - A URL to a GNU or BSD style checksum file
containing a checksum for the OS ISO file. At least one of `iso_checksum`
and `iso_checksum_url` must be defined. This will be ignored if
`iso_checksum` is non empty.
- `iso_url` (string) - A URL to the ISO containing the installation image.
This URL can be either an HTTP URL or a file URL (or path to a file). If
this is an HTTP URL, Packer will download it and cache it between runs.
- `ssh_username` (string) - The username to use to SSH into the machine once
the OS is installed.
### Optional:
- `boot_command` (array of strings) - This is an array of commands to type
when the virtual machine is first booted. The goal of these commands should
be to type just enough to initialize the operating system installer. Special
keys can be typed as well, and are covered in the section below on the
boot command. If this is not specified, it is assumed the installer will
start itself.
- `boot_wait` (string) - The time to wait after booting the initial virtual
machine before typing the `boot_command`. The value of this should be
a duration. Examples are "5s" and "1m30s" which will cause Packer to wait
five seconds and one minute 30 seconds, respectively. If this isn't
specified, the default is 10 seconds.
- `disk_additional_size` (array of integers) - The size(s) of any additional
hard disks for the VM in megabytes. If this is not specified then the VM
will only contain a primary hard disk. The builder uses expandable, not
fixed-size virtual hard disks, so the actual file representing the disk will
not use the full size unless it is full.
- `disk_size` (integer) - The size of the hard disk for the VM in megabytes.
The builder uses expandable, not fixed-size virtual hard disks, so the
actual file representing the disk will not use the full size unless it
is full. By default this is set to 40,000 (about 40 GB).
- `disk_type_id` (string) - The type of VMware virtual disk to create. The
default is "1", which corresponds to a growable virtual disk split in
2GB files. This option is for advanced usage, modify only if you know what
you're doing. For more information, please consult the [Virtual Disk Manager
User's Guide](https://www.vmware.com/pdf/VirtualDiskManager.pdf) for desktop
VMware clients. For ESXi, refer to the proper ESXi documentation.
- `floppy_files` (array of strings) - A list of files to place onto a floppy
disk that is attached when the VM is booted. This is most useful for
unattended Windows installs, which look for an `Autounattend.xml` file on
removable media. By default, no floppy will be attached. All files listed in
this setting get placed into the root directory of the floppy and the floppy
is attached as the first floppy device. Currently, no support exists for
creating sub-directories on the floppy. Wildcard characters (\*, ?,
and \[\]) are allowed. Directory names are also allowed, which will add all
the files found in the directory to the floppy.
- `floppy_dirs` (array of strings) - A list of directories to place onto
the floppy disk recursively. This is similar to the `floppy_files` option
except that the directory structure is preserved. This is useful for when
your floppy disk includes drivers or if you just want to organize it's
contents as a hierarchy. Wildcard characters (\*, ?, and \[\]) are allowed.
- `fusion_app_path` (string) - Path to "VMware Fusion.app". By default this is
"/Applications/VMware Fusion.app" but this setting allows you to
customize this.
- `guest_os_type` (string) - The guest OS type being installed. This will be
set in the VMware VMX. By default this is "other". By specifying a more
specific OS type, VMware may perform some optimizations or virtual hardware
changes to better support the operating system running in the
virtual machine.
- `headless` (boolean) - Packer defaults to building VMware virtual machines
by launching a GUI that shows the console of the machine being built. When
this value is set to true, the machine will start without a console. For
VMware machines, Packer will output VNC connection information in case you
need to connect to the console to debug the build process.
- `http_directory` (string) - Path to a directory to serve using an
HTTP server. The files in this directory will be available over HTTP that
will be requestable from the virtual machine. This is useful for hosting
kickstart files and so on. By default this is "", which means no HTTP server
will be started. The address and port of the HTTP server will be available
as variables in `boot_command`. This is covered in more detail below.
- `http_port_min` and `http_port_max` (integer) - These are the minimum and
maximum port to use for the HTTP server started to serve the
`http_directory`. Because Packer often runs in parallel, Packer will choose
a randomly available port in this range to run the HTTP server. If you want
to force the HTTP server to be on one port, make this minimum and maximum
port the same. By default the values are 8000 and 9000, respectively.
- `iso_target_extension` (string) - The extension of the iso file after
download. This defaults to "iso".
- `iso_target_path` (string) - The path where the iso should be saved after
download. By default will go in the packer cache, with a hash of the
original filename as its name.
- `iso_urls` (array of strings) - Multiple URLs for the ISO to download.
Packer will try these in order. If anything goes wrong attempting to
download or while downloading a single URL, it will move on to the next. All
URLs must point to the same file (same checksum). By default this is empty
and `iso_url` is used. Only one of `iso_url` or `iso_urls` can be specified.
- `output_directory` (string) - This is the path to the directory where the
resulting virtual machine will be created. This may be relative or absolute.
If relative, the path is relative to the working directory when `packer`
is executed. This directory must not exist or be empty prior to running
the builder. By default this is "output-BUILDNAME" where "BUILDNAME" is the
name of the build.
- `remote_cache_datastore` (string) - The path to the datastore where
supporting files will be stored during the build on the remote machine. By
default this is the same as the `remote_datastore` option. This only has an
effect if `remote_type` is enabled.
- `remote_cache_directory` (string) - The path where the ISO and/or floppy
files will be stored during the build on the remote machine. The path is
relative to the `remote_cache_datastore` on the remote machine. By default
this is "packer\_cache". This only has an effect if `remote_type`
is enabled.
- `remote_datastore` (string) - The path to the datastore where the resulting
VM will be stored when it is built on the remote machine. By default this
is "datastore1". This only has an effect if `remote_type` is enabled.
- `remote_host` (string) - The host of the remote machine used for access.
This is only required if `remote_type` is enabled.
- `remote_password` (string) - The SSH password for the user used to access
the remote machine. By default this is empty. This only has an effect if
`remote_type` is enabled.
- `remote_private_key_file` (string) - The path to the PEM encoded private key
file for the user used to access the remote machine. By default this is empty.
This only has an effect if `remote_type` is enabled.
- `remote_type` (string) - The type of remote machine that will be used to
build this VM rather than a local desktop product. The only value accepted
for this currently is "esx5". If this is not set, a desktop product will
be used. By default, this is not set.
- `remote_username` (string) - The username for the SSH user that will access
the remote machine. This is required if `remote_type` is enabled.
- `shutdown_command` (string) - The command to use to gracefully shut down the
machine once all the provisioning is done. By default this is an empty
string, which tells Packer to just forcefully shut down the machine.
- `shutdown_timeout` (string) - The amount of time to wait after executing the
`shutdown_command` for the virtual machine to actually shut down. If it
doesn't shut down in this time, it is an error. By default, the timeout is
"5m", or five minutes.
- `skip_compaction` (boolean) - VMware-created disks are defragmented and
compacted at the end of the build process using `vmware-vdiskmanager`. In
certain rare cases, this might actually end up making the resulting disks
slightly larger. If you find this to be the case, you can disable compaction
using this configuration value. Defaults to `false`.
- `skip_export` (boolean) - Defaults to `false`. When enabled, Packer will
not export the VM. Useful if the build output is not the resultant image,
but created inside the VM.
- `keep_registered` (boolean) - Set this to `true` if you would like to keep
the VM registered with the remote ESXi server. This is convenient if you
use packer to provision VMs on ESXi and don't want to use ovftool to
deploy the resulting artifact (VMX or OVA or whatever you used as `format`).
Defaults to `false`.
- `ovftool_options` (array of strings) - Extra options to pass to ovftool
during export. Each item in the array is a new argument. The options
`--noSSLVerify`, `--skipManifestCheck`, and `--targetType` are reserved,
and should not be passed to this argument.
- `tools_upload_flavor` (string) - The flavor of the VMware Tools ISO to
upload into the VM. Valid values are "darwin", "linux", and "windows". By
default, this is empty, which means VMware tools won't be uploaded.
- `tools_upload_path` (string) - The path in the VM to upload the
VMware tools. This only takes effect if `tools_upload_flavor` is non-empty.
This is a [configuration
template](/docs/templates/engine.html) that has a single
valid variable: `Flavor`, which will be the value of `tools_upload_flavor`.
By default the upload path is set to `{{.Flavor}}.iso`. This setting is not
used when `remote_type` is "esx5".
- `version` (string) - The [vmx hardware
version](http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1003746)
for the new virtual machine. Only the default value has been tested, any
other value is experimental. Default value is '9'.
- `vm_name` (string) - This is the name of the VMX file for the new virtual
machine, without the file extension. By default this is "packer-BUILDNAME",
where "BUILDNAME" is the name of the build.
- `vmdk_name` (string) - The filename of the virtual disk that'll be created,
without the extension. This defaults to "packer".
- `vmx_data` (object of key/value strings) - Arbitrary key/values to enter
into the virtual machine VMX file. This is for advanced users who want to
set properties such as memory, CPU, etc.
- `vmx_data_post` (object of key/value strings) - Identical to `vmx_data`,
except that it is run after the virtual machine is shutdown, and before the
virtual machine is exported.
- `vmx_remove_ethernet_interfaces` (boolean) - Remove all ethernet interfaces from
the VMX file after building. This is for advanced users who understand the
ramifications, but is useful for building Vagrant boxes since Vagrant will
create ethernet interfaces when provisioning a box.
- `vmx_template_path` (string) - Path to a [configuration
template](/docs/templates/engine.html) that defines the
contents of the virtual machine VMX file for VMware. This is for **advanced
users only** as this can render the virtual machine non-functional. See
below for more information. For basic VMX modifications, try
`vmx_data` first.
- `vnc_bind_address` (string / IP address) - The IP address that should be binded
to for VNC. By default packer will use 127.0.0.1 for this. If you wish to bind
to all interfaces use 0.0.0.0
- `vnc_disable_password` (boolean) - Don't auto-generate a VNC password that is
used to secure the VNC communication with the VM.
- `vnc_port_min` and `vnc_port_max` (integer) - The minimum and maximum port
to use for VNC access to the virtual machine. The builder uses VNC to type
the initial `boot_command`. Because Packer generally runs in parallel,
Packer uses a randomly chosen port in this range that appears available. By
default this is 5900 to 6000. The minimum and maximum ports are inclusive.
## Boot Command
The `boot_command` configuration is very important: it specifies the keys to
type when the virtual machine is first booted in order to start the OS
installer. This command is typed after `boot_wait`, which gives the virtual
machine some time to actually load the ISO.
As documented above, the `boot_command` is an array of strings. The strings are
all typed in sequence. It is an array only to improve readability within the
template.
The boot command is "typed" character for character over a VNC connection to the
machine, simulating a human actually typing the keyboard.
-> Keystrokes are typed as separate key up/down events over VNC with a
default 100ms delay. The delay alleviates issues with latency and CPU
contention. For local builds you can tune this delay by specifying
e.g. `PACKER_KEY_INTERVAL=10ms` to speed through the boot command.
There are a set of special keys available. If these are in your boot
command, they will be replaced by the proper key:
- `<bs>` - Backspace
- `<del>` - Delete
- `<enter>` and `<return>` - Simulates an actual "enter" or "return" keypress.
- `<esc>` - Simulates pressing the escape key.
- `<tab>` - Simulates pressing the tab key.
- `<f1>` - `<f12>` - Simulates pressing a function key.
- `<up>` `<down>` `<left>` `<right>` - Simulates pressing an arrow key.
- `<spacebar>` - Simulates pressing the spacebar.
- `<insert>` - Simulates pressing the insert key.
- `<home>` `<end>` - Simulates pressing the home and end keys.
- `<pageUp>` `<pageDown>` - Simulates pressing the page up and page down keys.
- `<leftAlt>` `<rightAlt>` - Simulates pressing the alt key.
- `<leftCtrl>` `<rightCtrl>` - Simulates pressing the ctrl key.
- `<leftShift>` `<rightShift>` - Simulates pressing the shift key.
- `<leftAltOn>` `<rightAltOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the alt key.
- `<leftCtrlOn>` `<rightCtrlOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the ctrl key.
- `<leftShiftOn>` `<rightShiftOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the shift key.
- `<leftAltOff>` `<rightAltOff>` - Simulates releasing a held alt key.
- `<leftCtrlOff>` `<rightCtrlOff>` - Simulates releasing a held ctrl key.
- `<leftShiftOff>` `<rightShiftOff>` - Simulates releasing a held shift key.
- `<wait>` `<wait5>` `<wait10>` - Adds a 1, 5 or 10 second pause before
sending any additional keys. This is useful if you have to generally wait
for the UI to update before typing more.
When using modifier keys `ctrl`, `alt`, `shift` ensure that you release them,
otherwise they will be held down until the machine reboots. Use lowercase
characters as well inside modifiers.
For example: to simulate ctrl+c use `<leftCtrlOn>c<leftCtrlOff>`.
In addition to the special keys, each command to type is treated as a
[template engine](/docs/templates/engine.html). The
available variables are:
- `HTTPIP` and `HTTPPort` - The IP and port, respectively of an HTTP server
that is started serving the directory specified by the `http_directory`
configuration parameter. If `http_directory` isn't specified, these will be
blank!
Example boot command. This is actually a working boot command used to start an
Ubuntu 12.04 installer:
``` text
[
"<esc><esc><enter><wait>",
"/install/vmlinuz noapic ",
"preseed/url=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/preseed.cfg ",
"debian-installer=en_US auto locale=en_US kbd-chooser/method=us ",
"hostname={{ .Name }} ",
"fb=false debconf/frontend=noninteractive ",
"keyboard-configuration/modelcode=SKIP keyboard-configuration/layout=USA ",
"keyboard-configuration/variant=USA console-setup/ask_detect=false ",
"initrd=/install/initrd.gz -- <enter>"
]
```
## VMX Template
The heart of a VMware machine is the "vmx" file. This contains all the virtual
hardware metadata necessary for the VM to function. Packer by default uses a
[safe, flexible VMX
file](https://github.com/hashicorp/packer/blob/20541a7eda085aa5cf35bfed5069592ca49d106e/builder/vmware/step_create_vmx.go#L84).
But for advanced users, this template can be customized. This allows Packer to
build virtual machines of effectively any guest operating system type.
~&gt; **This is an advanced feature.** Modifying the VMX template can easily
cause your virtual machine to not boot properly. Please only modify the template
if you know what you're doing.
Within the template, a handful of variables are available so that your template
can continue working with the rest of the Packer machinery. Using these
variables isn't required, however.
- `Name` - The name of the virtual machine.
- `GuestOS` - The VMware-valid guest OS type.
- `DiskName` - The filename (without the suffix) of the main virtual disk.
- `ISOPath` - The path to the ISO to use for the OS installation.
- `Version` - The Hardware version VMWare will execute this vm under. Also
known as the `virtualhw.version`.
## Building on a Remote vSphere Hypervisor
In addition to using the desktop products of VMware locally to build virtual
machines, Packer can use a remote VMware Hypervisor to build the virtual
machine.
-&gt; **Note:** Packer supports ESXi 5.1 and above.
Before using a remote vSphere Hypervisor, you need to enable GuestIPHack by
running the following command:
``` text
esxcli system settings advanced set -o /Net/GuestIPHack -i 1
```
When using a remote VMware Hypervisor, the builder still downloads the ISO and
various files locally, and uploads these to the remote machine. Packer currently
uses SSH to communicate to the ESXi machine rather than the vSphere API. At some
point, the vSphere API may be used.
Packer also requires VNC to issue boot commands during a build, which may be
disabled on some remote VMware Hypervisors. Please consult the appropriate
documentation on how to update VMware Hypervisor's firewall to allow these
connections.
To use a remote VMware vSphere Hypervisor to build your virtual machine, fill in
the required `remote_*` configurations:
- `remote_type` - This must be set to "esx5".
- `remote_host` - The host of the remote machine.
Additionally, there are some optional configurations that you'll likely have to
modify as well:
- `remote_port` - The SSH port of the remote machine
- `remote_datastore` - The path to the datastore where the VM will be stored
on the ESXi machine.
- `remote_cache_datastore` - The path to the datastore where supporting files
will be stored during the build on the remote machine.
- `remote_cache_directory` - The path where the ISO and/or floppy files will
be stored during the build on the remote machine. The path is relative to
the `remote_cache_datastore` on the remote machine.
- `remote_username` - The SSH username used to access the remote machine.
- `remote_password` - The SSH password for access to the remote machine.
- `remote_private_key_file` - The SSH key for access to the remote machine.
- `format` (string) - Either "ovf", "ova" or "vmx", this specifies the output
format of the exported virtual machine. This defaults to "ovf".
Before using this option, you need to install `ovftool`.
### VNC port discovery
Packer needs to decide on a port to use for VNC when building remotely. To find
an open port, we try to connect to ports in the range of `vnc_port_min` to
`vnc_port_max`. If we notice something is listening on a port in the range, we
try to connect to the next one, and so on until we find a port that has nothing
listening on it. If you have many clients building on the ESXi host, there
might be competition for the VNC ports. You can adjust how long packer waits
for a connection timeout by setting `PACKER_ESXI_VNC_PROBE_TIMEOUT`. This
defaults to 15 seconds. Set this shorter if vnc connections are refused, and
set it longer if Packer can't find an open port. This is intended as an
advanced configuration option. Please make sure your firewall settings are
correct before adjusting.
### Using a Floppy for Linux kickstart file or preseed
Depending on your network configuration, it may be difficult to use packer's
built-in HTTP server with ESXi. Instead, you can provide a kickstart or preseed
file by attaching a floppy disk. An example below, based on RHEL:
``` json
{
"builders": [
{
"type":"vmware-iso",
"floppy_files": [
"folder/ks.cfg"
],
"boot_command": "<tab> text ks=floppy <enter><wait>"
}
]
}
```
It's also worth noting that `ks=floppy` has been deprecated. Later versions of the Anaconda installer (used in RHEL/CentOS 7 and Fedora) may require a different syntax to source a kickstart file from a mounted floppy image.
``` json
{
"builders": [
{
"type":"vmware-iso",
"floppy_files": [
"folder/ks.cfg"
],
"boot_command": "<tab> inst.text inst.ks=hd:fd0:/ks.cfg <enter><wait>"
}
]
}
```
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