Create a rule in Auto Deploy that assigns newly added hosts tо a cluster that manages ESXi configuration at a cluster level.

By creating an Auto Deploy rule, where the host target location is a cluster that manages ESXi configuration at a cluster level, you remove the need to use Host Profiles, or make any manual configurations, while keeping the flexibility to define custom settings per host or override the cluster-level settings for a group of hosts. For more information on how to set up clusters that you manage with a configuration at a cluster level, and VMware vSphere Configuration Profiles, see Using vSphere Configuration Profiles to Manage Host Configuration at a Cluster Level.
Note: Once you set up a cluster that manages ESXi configuration at a cluster level, you cannot roll back to using Host Profiles or single images, and you cannot use the Quickstart option for such clusters. However, you can switch from a cluster that you manage with a single image to a cluster that you manage with a configuration at a cluster level just by selecting the Set Up Host Settings option under Configure > Desired State > Host Settings.

Prerequisites

То add ESXi hosts to a cluster that manages ESXi configuration at a cluster level, you create a rule in Auto Deploy that assigns such a cluster as the host location for newly added hosts, which inherit the same settings and do not require manual configuration.

Procedure

  1. Navigate to Home > Auto Deploy.
    By default, only the administrator role has privileges to use the vSphere Auto Deploy service.
  2. On the Deploy Rules tab, click New Deploy Rule.
    The New Deploy Rule wizard appears.
  3. On the Name and hosts page of the wizard, enter a name for the new rule.
  4. Select to either apply the rule to all hosts in the inventory or only to hosts that match a specific pattern.
    You can select one or more patterns.
    For example, the rule can apply only to hosts in a vCenter Single Sign-On domain, with a specific host name, or that match a specific IPv4 range.
  5. On the Configuration page of the wizard, select the Host Location check box, and click Next.
    You can ignore the Image, Host Settings, and Script Bundle check boxes. Image specification and configuration of hosts in the target cluster, and any post-installation settings are created automatically. Even if you select any of the check boxes, the rule ignores the selections.
  6. On the Select host location page of the wizard, select a cluster that manages ESXi configuration at a cluster level.
  7. On the Ready to complete page, review the summary information for the new rule.
  8. Click Finish.

Results

You can view the newly created rule listed on the Deploy Rules tab.

What to do next