You use a single script to install the supported Java Runtime Environment, the guest agent, and the Software bootstrap agent on your Linux reference machine to create a template, snapshot, or Amazon Machine Instance that supports Software components.

Software supports scripting with Bash.

Important: Because the boot process must not be interrupted, configure the virtual machine so that nothing causes the virtual machine's boot process to pause before reaching the final operating system login prompt. For example, verify that no processes or scripts prompt for user interaction when the virtual machine starts.

Prerequisites

  • Identify or create a Linux reference machine and verify that the following commands are available depending on your Linux system:
    • yum or apt-get
    • wget or curl
    • python
    • dmidecode as required by cloud providers
    • Common requirements such as sed, awk, perl, chkconfig, unzip, and grep depending on your Linux distribution

    For related information about Linux prerequisites, see the prepare_vra_template.sh script.

  • If you plan to remotely access the virtual machine using Linux ssh logging for troubleshooting or for other reasons, install the OpenSSH server and client for Linux.
  • Remove network configuration artifacts from the network configuration files.

Procedure

  1. Log in to your reference machine as the root user.
  2. Download the installation script from your vRealize Automation appliance. 
    wget  https://vRealize_VA_Hostname_fqdn/software/download/prepare_vra_template.sh
    If your environment is using self-signed certificates, you might have to use the wget option --no-check-certificate option. For example: 
    wget --no-check-certificate https://vRealize_VA_Hostname_fqdn/software/download/prepare_vra_template.sh
  3. Make the prepare_vra_template.sh script executable. 
    chmod +x prepare_vra_template.sh
  4. Run the prepare_vra_template.sh installer script. 
    ./prepare_vra_template.sh
    You can run the help command ./prepare_vra_template.sh --help for information about non-interactive options and expected values.
  5. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
    You see a confirmation message when the installation is successfully completed. If you see an error message and logs in the console, resolve the errors and run the installer script again.
  6. Shut down the Linux virtual machine.

Results

The script removes any previous installations of the Software bootstrap agent and installs the supported versions of the Java Runtime Environment, the guest agent, and the Software bootstrap agent.

What to do next

On your hypervisor or cloud provider, turn your reference machine into a template, snapshot, or Amazon Machine Image that your infrastructure architects can use when creating blueprints.