Instead of creating a vApp based on a vApp template, you can decide to create a vApp using virtual machines from catalogs, new virtual machines, or a combination of both.

Building a vApp requires you to provide a name and optionally a description of the vApp. You can go back and add the virtual machines to the vApp at a later stage.

Prerequisites

This operation requires the rights included in the predefined vApp Author role or an equivalent set of rights.

Procedure

  1. On the Virtual Data Center dashboard screen, click the card of the VDC you want to explore, and from the secondary left panel, select vApps.
  2. Select New vApp.
  3. Enter a name and, optionally, a description for the vApp.
  4. (Optional) If you want the vApp to power on upon deployment, select the Power on check box.
    Note: The vApp can power on only if there are virtual machines in it.
  5. (Optional) Search the catalog for virtual machines to add to this vApp or add a new, blank virtual machine by clicking Add Virtual Machine.
    If there are no virtual machines in the catalog, create a virtual machine and add it to the vApp.
    1. Enter the name and the computer name for the virtual machine.
      Important: The computer name can contain only alphanumeric characters and hyphens. A computer name cannot consist of digits only and cannot contain spaces.
    2. (Optional) Enter a meaningful description.
    3. Select how you want to deploy the virtual machine.
    4. To add the virtual machine to the vApp click OK.
      You can see the added virtual machine in the catalog.
  6. (Optional) Repeat Step 5 for each additional virtual machine you want to create within the vApp.
  7. To complete the creation of the vApp, click Create.

Results

The vApp appears on the vApp tab. When the vApp powers on, the virtual machines in it are created and powered on as well.