Create a VM Using a Microsoft ISO

VMware also provides access to ISO images that you can use to deploy Windows Server machines.

VMware provides a curated Microsoft software repository with the following ISOs for your use:

• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2019 Datacenter
• Windows Server 2019 Language Pack
• Windows Server 2016 Datacenter
• Windows Server Datacenter (provides Microsoft Semi-Annual Channel Release)
• SQL Server 2019 Enterprise. Use this ISO if you need to add features to the SQL Server instance.

Note: Access to the VMware-curated Microsoft software repository should be used only for deploying Microsoft binaries for use on VMware Cloud on AWS.

Procedure

1. Create the VM.
   For more information on creating VMs, see https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.vm_admin.doc/GUID-AE8AFBF1-75D1-4172-988C-378C35C9FAF2.html.
2. Install the guest operating system and any other software from the ISO images.
   Three different language ISO images are available in addition to the English language ISO:

   • Chinese: https://vmc-microsoft-templates.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Images_NonEnglish/chinese/lib.json
   • Japanese: https://vmc-microsoft-templates.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Images_NonEnglish/japanese/lib.json
   • French: https://vmc-microsoft-templates.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Images_NonEnglish/french/lib.json

   The content library is updated with the following versions of the software for the relevant language:

   • Windows Server 2019 Datacenter
   • Windows Server 2019 Language Pack
   • Windows Server 2016 Datacenter
   • Windows Server 2016 Language Pack
   • SQL Server 2019 Enterprise. Use this ISO if you need to add features to the SQL Server instance.
   For more information on installing software from ISO images, see https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.vm_admin.doc/GUID-55FC02D4-F5B3-4357-BB6B-78240B7F16BA.html.
3. Install VMware Tools on the VM.
4. Copy the activation script to the VM.
   An ISO image containing the activation script is located in the subscribed Content Library.
   1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to the subscribed Content Library and click Other Types.
   2. Attach the VM's CD/DVD drive to the Windows_Activation_Script ISO in the Content Library.
      For more information on connecting a Content Library ISO file to a VM, see https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.vm_admin.doc/GUID-BE1C18D2-8FF0-4F41-AA35-A4BA71D62EB4.html.
   3. Copy the Activation.ps1 script file to the VM's local disk.
5. Make any necessary modifications to the VM, such as adding vCPUs, adding disks, or changing network settings.
   For more information on configuring VMs, see https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.vm_admin.doc/GUID-4AB8C63C-61EA-4202-8158-D9903E04A0ED.html.
6. Configure the compute gateway firewall using the VMware Cloud Console to allow outbound HTTP and HTTPS access to the internet.
   This is required for initial activation of the Windows server image. For more information about firewall configuration, see https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-Cloud-on-AWS/services/com.vmware.vmc-aws-networking-security/GUID-A5114A98-C885-4244-809B-151068D6A7D7.html.
7. Power on the VM.
8. Run the activation script.
   1. In the guest operating system, open a command window and change to the directory where you copied the Activation.ps1 script.
   2. Type powershell Activation.ps1 and press Enter.
9. Configure a Windows Server password to secure the VM according to your corporate security policy.

What to do next

• Update your VM with the latest patches and security updates. Although VMware supplies current versions of Microsoft products, it is your responsibility to apply the latest maintenance updates and security patches to ensure that the products run in a secure environment. Follow your enterprise recommendations on updating any binaries that you import into your SDDC.
• Update firewall rules. The activation and patch update process requires that the VM have internet access. Follow your enterprise guidelines on whether these firewall rules should be modified after activation.