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Page Intentionally Left Blank


Learn to Setup a VMware vSphere 5.5 or 6.0 Lab on your Desktop or
Laptop using ( AutoLab )
Its very simple to install on your Mac Computer using VMware Fusion
With all the Step by Step Instructions with easy to following Snap Shots
included:

This Doc was made for People that are new and need to Learn VMware
And for others that need a home lab that already have some VMware
Server Experience.

Index

Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
OK Lets get started and Have some Fun! ......................................................................................................... 6
Licenses and Fees ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
What is VMware Fusion? ........................................................................................................................................ 6
System Requirements .............................................................................................................................................. 7
Running the lab VMs off the SSD Hard Drives makes a big difference to the usability of the
lab. .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
What is AutoLab? ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
What is vSphere ESXi Hypervisor? ..................................................................................................................... 9
Installing Fusion On Mac Desktop Pro / Laptop ........................................................................................ 10
Running VMware Fusion for the First time ................................................................................................. 13
Now we need to Set up VMware Fusions Networking ............................................................................ 14
Adding your AutoLab Build to VMware Fusion ......................................................................................... 18
Extract the AutoLab.zip file you downloaded earlier .............................................................................. 19
For this Tech Guide I will only be using the following VMs from The AutoLab ........................... 20
Using your Terminal.app ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Change to Lab_Local Directory .......................................................................................................................... 22
Change File Extension of folder name script 1 ....................................................................................... 23
Change VMnet3 Network from lower case to upper case script 2 ................................................. 24
Now we can Run our Powered on NAS Virtual Machine ........................................................................ 25
Where to find VMware vSphere and ESXi to download ......................................................................... 27
NOTE: You will need to find and download the following software ................................................. 28
Connecting to the Build ........................................................................................................................................ 28
Be sure to connect as Guest ONLY ................................................................................................................... 29
Copy Software to the Build Folder for Autolab .......................................................................................... 31
Edit the Automat.ini file ....................................................................................................................................... 34
We now need to Copy VMware Tools to the Build folder also. ........................................................... 36
Building your Domain Controller ..................................................................................................................... 39
Installing Windows Server OS ........................................................................................................................... 40
Installing VMware ESXi HOST1, HOST2 and HOST3 ............................................................................... 45
VMware ESXi / HOST1 Install ............................................................................................................................ 45
VMware ESXi / HOST2 Install ............................................................................................................................ 50
VMware ESXi / HOST3 Install ............................................................................................................................ 55
Install VMware VC - ON Windows Server 2008 R2 OS ........................................................................... 61
Be sure the floppy is connected to the floppy image ............................................................................... 62
Install Auto_Lab Firewall ..................................................................................................................................... 76
IP Addressing .......................................................................................................................................................... 81
User-IDs ..................................................................................................................................................................... 82

Introduction
Hello and thanks for buying this Guide VMware Server Test Lab.
You will learn how to install Auto Lab with VMware vSphere 5.5 or 6.0 on your Mac
Computer using VMware Fusion.
In this Document I will be using VMware vSphere/ESXi 5.5

You are expected to know some Basic Mac OS Knowledge and Windows Basic OS
knowledge.


This is an easy step-by-step process to setup the Lab with instructions and
Snapshots.



You shouldnt really run into any issues with the install process.
But sometimes people do run into problems. I have given you in this book where to
go and download the software and also showing you my steps from beginning to
end with NO ERRORS of my install of AutoLab and setup of VMware Server Lab.



Important!
Always be sure to check the Spelling when you create a folder or rename something.
Also check that you do not have too many Spaces on commands. And remember
commands have no quotations on each end of a Command that you will need to
run.
Example: at the command prompt do not enter quotes like this : ./file install.sh
Rather You need to enter: ./file install.sh

I have scripts that are included in this how-to. Pay attention to all the spaces
And remember not to add any of the quotations

OK Lets get started and Have some Fun!

First! Im not responsible for any hard drive data loss. So be aware of where you
are at all TIMES when you are formatting your hard drives J

YOU agree that you take all responsibility for the use of this How-to book and all
software and Licenses and Fees that you need to pay.

Licenses and Fees

Some of the Products that are used in this Tech Guide are registered Trademark
Products. And some may be used as a Trial or by purchasing a Full License. Im
not responsible for anything other than providing you with a Guide to building a test
lab. To be used only for your personal use or for Testing and Learning for your
Certification purposes only
Any Microsoft Windows OS Requires that you have a Legit License or Serial Number
for your product that you will use in this lab for MS Windows.
Any VMware Product used in this Guide you are responsible for using either a Trial
or By Purchasing a Full License for your personal use.

What is VMware Fusion?

VMware Fusion is a Product used to install on your Mac Computer to create Virtual
Machines. VMware Fusion is for Mac and VMware Workstation is used for Linux
and Windows Desktops. Fusion is not that expensive and I would go over to the
website and download and perchance from Here:

NOTE! Please download, as its needed for Lab install

http://store.vmware.com/store/vmware/home
VMware Fusion 8 Pro is a more Advance Product This is the Choice to get

System Requirements

Any 64-bit capable Intel Mac. (Xeon, i5, i7 processors or better)

Minimum 2GB of RAM (4GB or more recommended)

750MB free disk space for Fusion at least 5GB for each Virtual Machine

Mac OS X 10.9 or later; OS X El Capitan recommended

Operating system installation media for virtual machines

Note: Microsoft Windows is Not Included

I recommend using: an Intel i7 CPU quad core, 8 gig memory +, 1 TB SSD Hard
drive. Which is what Im using while writing this book. The above is a 64bit CPU.

Running the lab VMs off the SSD Hard Drives makes a big difference to the usability of the lab.

What is AutoLab?
AutoLab contains only freely redistributable software and empty VMs; you must
bring your own licensed software installers to complete the build.
Autolab is a Pre-Configured Lab used to let you gain experience and to Test vSphere
or ESXi Host. You can also use this to Study for your VMware Exams
People have been asking me how to setup a lab that would fit on one Computer or a
Desktop Server.
After searching the Internet and landing on a page called. LabGuides.com
Here is where you can go and find AutoLab to Download.

They have put a lot of work into this Product. Please thank them for the wonderful
job they have done by offering this for you to use.

NOTE! Please download, as its needed for Lab install

Here is the URL: http://www.labguides.com/autolab/autolab-download/












The image below shows what you need to download in Yellow.
Called: Nested AutoLab on Workstation or Fusion

What is vSphere ESXi Hypervisor?

The vSphere hypervisor, known to many as "ESXi", for the name of the underlying
hypervisor architecture, is a bare-metal hypervisor that installs directly on top of
your physical Desktop Computer using VMware Fusion or VMware Workstation or
Server and partitions it into multiple virtual machines.

Each virtual machine shares the same physical resources as the other virtual
machines and they can all run at the same time. Sharing Host Hardware.
Unlike other hypervisors, all management functionality of vSphere is done through
remote management tools.



In order to download you need to create an online User Profile or Sign up and
Register in order to download the vSphere Hypervisor for your lab.

NOTE! Please download, as its needed for Lab install

You can Try For Free or Buy Online

You will need to go to:
https://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/features/esxi-hypervisor

Installing Fusion On Mac Desktop Pro / Laptop

Go to your download Folder
Double Click on the Icon

VMware Fusion.dmg

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Now Double-Click to install

You should see the icon on Taskbar at bottom

11

IF you see click to open

You should be seeing installer on Desktop
If so please eject after you have installed VMware Fusion


Before you try to run Fusion for the first time.

To do so just - Right Click and Select Eject VMware Fusion

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Running VMware Fusion for the First time

Now open Fusion,
It should be showing in your Applications Folder

13


After you open fusion / Right click on icon and select show on taskbar

You now have VMware Fusion up and running


Please leave open

Now we need to Set up VMware Fusions Networking

Click on VMware Fusion Menu / Preferences

14






Click on Network Tab This is only Shown using ( VMware Fusion Pro )

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Now un-lock - by clicking on lock icon and entering your password when ask.

Now lets configure Network for our Lab (View Image below)

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1: Click + to add a new network

2: Name it vmnet3
3: Un-check Provide address on this network via DHCP our DC will provide this
4: enter Subnet IP: 192.168.199.0
5: enter Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
6: Un-check Require authentication to enter promiscuous mode
7: Click Apply

OK The Network is now setup for the Mac VMware Fusion

17

Adding your AutoLab Build to VMware Fusion

Open the location Go / Documents

Inside Documents create a Folder called Virtual Machines

18


Extract the AutoLab.zip file you downloaded earlier

Now Copy your Lab_Local to the location where you created Virtual Machines

That you downloaded from Autolab Website

Open Lab_local

19

For this Tech Guide I will only be using the

following VMs from The AutoLab


1: NAS
2: DC
3: Host1
4: Host2
5: Host3
6: VC
7: Router

20

Please: Do not delete the other folders as you can use them
later also. Just leave them inside the Lab_Local folder

Using your Terminal.app

Go / Utilities

21




Open Terminal.app

Enter bash at the command prompt like I did in image below

You should now be at the bash shell

Now at the Prompt enter the following:

Change to Lab_Local Directory

cd ~/Documents/Virtual\ Machines/Lab_local/
To be sure you are in the correct folder enter command: pwd

22

Enter the following command: ls l you should see the contents
That we will be changing on all file extensions.

We need to enter this command at the shell prompt:

Change File Extension of folder name script 1

cd ~/Documents/Virtual\ Machines/Lab_Local/ ls -dF ./*/
| grep -v ".vmwarevm" | awk 'BEGIN{FS="//"} {print "mv
"$1"/ "$1".vmwarevm/"}' | bash

--------------------------------------------If you have trouble with script 1 above just cd to the

Lab_local Directory and use this command I have cut it
down for you:

23

ls -dF ./*/ | grep -v ".vmwarevm" | awk 'BEGIN{FS="//"} {print

"mv "$1"/ "$1".vmwarevm/"}' | bash

Notice that we now have a .vmwarevm at the end of each folder

I have a screenshot below before and after the change

Now we need to be sure the networking is setup correctly under the vmnet3
Enter this command at the Shell prompt:

Change VMnet3 Network from lower case to upper case script 2

find ~/Documents/Virtual\ Machines/Lab_Local -name

"*.vmx" -print0 | xargs -0 sed -i ""
's/VMnet3/vmnet3/g'

24

You can close the Terminal now J

Thats it for our work inside the Terminal


Now if you go over to the Lab_Local folder you will now see your VMware files

Now we can Run our Powered on NAS Virtual Machine

Go to Application / Open VMware Fusion.

Then inside Fusion
Click on File > Open

And Open the NAS.vmwarevm

25

When asked be sure to say I Copied it. So you get new Mac Address and New
Network settings

The NAS will boot up. You should see a screen like below:
Just Leave it alone and dont select anything after it has booted up.

Thats it for the NAS Build


We now need to proceed and download more software

26

Where to find VMware vSphere and ESXi to download

You will need to go here and create a VMware Account/Profile.
https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/login

27

NOTE: You will need to find and download the following software

Download the following items from VMware Online
1. VMware-vSphere-CLI-5.5.exe
2. VMware-VMvisor-installer5.5.iso
3. VMWare-viclient-all-5.5.exe
4. VMware-PowerCLI-5.5.exe
5. VMware-VIMSetup-all.iso





You will need to provide your own Windows Operating System for the Lab with a
License Key/Serial number for
Windows 2003 R2 .iso
Windows 2008 R2 .iso
Windows XP Pro .iso
or use a Trial editions

Connecting to the Build

You will need to do the following to with the Build Folders and Contents
On the Mac Click on Go/Connect to Server

28



Enter the following
Smb://192.168.199.7/Build

Be sure to connect as Guest ONLY

You should be seeing the Build Folder and Contents below.
If you dont be sure that you have the NAS VM up and running.

29







Build folder below
This should be open so you can add software to it.

30

Copy Software to the Build Folder for Autolab

Open you saved downloaded VMware and windows saved software and OS folder
And copy the VMware-vsphere-CLI.exe to the root of the Build folder

Saved folder for VMware and Windows Software

Now we Copy to the Build root ( you should have already downloaded this already )

31

Now copy your VMware-VIMSetup-all-5.5.iso to the VIM_5.5 Folder

Now copy your VMware-VMvisor-installer.iso into the ESXi55 folder

32

Now copy your windows Server 2003 R2 to the Root of Build Folder.
Please remember to rename it to WIN2k3 important to do so

Now copy your Windows XP Pro to the Root of Build Folder.
Please remember to rename it to WINXP important to do so

33


Now open the Automat folder

Edit the Automat.ini file

Now edit or open the automate.ini file

34

You can use an app like sublime text editor for mac.

Enter your Time zone
TZ=Central Standard Time
Enter your VMware vSphere/ESXi Version
VCInstall=55
AutoAddHosts=true
Here you can also add the windows OS Serial/Key enters below also.

Save and exit

35

We now need to Copy VMware Tools to the Build folder also.

To find your VMware tools go to /Applications / VMware Fusion.app and
right click / Show Package Contents

Contents

36



.isoimages

Inside the isoimages copy the windows.iso to the VMware tools under build folder

37

Copy windows.iso to VMTools folder

OK thats it for copying software

38

Building your Domain Controller

Open Fusion > File > Open and Select
DC.vmwarevm

39

When the DC opens it may error out (Be sure to add the Windows OS .iso image)

Installing Windows Server OS
We need to add the .iso windows image from CD/DVD
Click on CD and Select IDE Settings

Find your windows Server 2008 R2 .iso
Be sure to Connect is checked

40


Then Resume the boot up process again

Setup is installing windows

41

Completing the installation

DHCP is installing

42

Active Directory is installing and will reboot

Files copying from Auto_lab script

43

If you had no issues with the DC Setup-Install

You should now be seeing the below screenshot

Please leave this open and running

44

Installing VMware ESXi HOST1, HOST2 and HOST3

Before you start be sure you have the NAS and DC VM up and Running
or this will not work. ( And you will get errors and have to start over )


VMware ESXi / HOST1 Install

VMware File > Open
Host1.vmwarevm

Press Start:

45

Select the below file Host1.vmwarevm

Now Select ESXi 5.5 automated builds

46

Now select the Host you are opening or installing which should be
Host1 Automated Install

Installer screen start
The auto build will do the rest, just sit back and relax

47

The VMware ESXi 5.5 Virtual Platform is now installing

ESXi 5.5 Starting up Services

48

System is now installed and rebooting

OK the First HOST1 has now been installed.
Notice Screen for Information on where to download tools and manage the host.

49

VMware ESXi / HOST2 Install

VMware File > Open

50

Press Start:

Select ESXi 5.5 Automated Builds

51

Select Host2 Automated Install

ESXi Installer is now running

52

The VMware ESXi 5.5 Virtual Platform is now installing

VMware ESXi Starting up Services

53

System is now installed and rebooting

OK the First HOST2 has now been installed.
Notice Screen for Information on where to download tools and manage the host.

54

VMware ESXi / HOST3 Install

Now inside VMware Fusion click on
File > Open >

55

Select VMware ESXi Host3.vmwarevm

Press Start

56

Again Select ESXi 5.5 Automated Builds

Select the VMware Host3 Automated Install

57

VMware ESXi Host3 is now installing

VMware ESXi 5.5 Virtual Platform is now installing

58

VMware ESXi is Starting up Services

System is now rebooting

59

OK HOST3 has now been installed.

Notice Screen for Information on where to download tools and manage the host.

60

Install VMware VC - ON Windows Server 2008 R2 OS

The VC Install can take up to 1-2 Hours depending on you System Configuration

Open Fusion and Select
File > Open

Be sure to select the windows Server 2008 R2 .ISO Server image

61

Be sure the floppy is connected to the floppy image

Press Play

62


Windows is loading

Windows is booting

63

Windows Server installer is now running

Installing features and updates

64


System is now rebooting

65

Completing Installation and will reboot again

After reboot and install

The System is now running the Auto_Build Script
Please do not touch while the configuration is running

66

Now installing vCenter Single Sign on

Installing the VMware vSphere Web Client

Script still installing

67

The Features of VMware Web Client are now installing

Installing VMware vCenter Inventory Service

68

vCenter Inventory Service installing

69

Installing the VMware vCenter Server 5.5 now

vCenter still installing

70

Installing

Storing License Key

Installing Orchestrator

71

Profile driven storage

Installing VMware vSphere Client

72

Installing client

vSphere update manager

73

Client integration plugin

74

Creating automated window server 2003-install .iso

The VC has now completed the install

OK you should now be seeing the screen below

You should have the following installed on Server
1. Internet Autolab Portal shortcut
2. AutoLab Script Menu
3. Putty
4. VMware vSphere Client
5. vSphere Server

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Install Auto_Lab Firewall

Understanding your router
First! I would start getting a basic understanding of Linux OS
I will have that listed on Amazon kindle books also. ( Later J )



Although you can get by without needing to for now while you are learning
VMware vSphere ESXi Administration or Studying for your VMware Certification



All the Products for VMware vSphere and ESXi are in a 90-day trial period
IF you wish to use for a Lab Environment for more time than that - Then you will
need to perchance the License / Serial from VMware website





Open Fusion and go to
File > Open

76

Select Router.vmwarevm

77

Press Play

Installing

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Setup has completed.

Here is the Control Panel: http://router.inet:82/ / http://192.168.199.2:82

This is a Linux Virtual Machine Box

79

You should only need to do all of your work mainly from the
VC Virtual Machine,

Unless youre doing something Domain Control Related

I would like to thank you for buying my How to Tech Guide
Happy learning J

80

Please visit Amazon for more Kindle Books to learn.

I will be also doing a book for:


VMware vSphere 5.5 or 6.0 Lab (Setup for Windows Computer Environment)

VMware vSphere 5.5 or 6.0 Lab (Setup for Linux Computer Environment)

Learning Linux Operating System

Learning Vi editor

And more to follow J

Lab Build information

IP Addressing
Main network, no VLAN
Subnet 192.168.199.0
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Gateway 192.168.199.2
DHCP server 192.168.199.4
DNS Zone lab.local
DHCP Scope 192.168.199.100 192.168.199.199

Purpose DNS name IP Address
Host PC 192.168.199.1
Router (gateway) gw 192.168.199.2
Domain Controller dc 192.168.199.4
vCentre server vc 192.168.199.5
vCentre Management Appliance vma 192.168.199.6
FreeNAS nas 192.168.199.7
Host1 Management host1 192.168.199.11
Host2 Management host2 192.168.199.12
View Connection Server 1 cs1 192.168.199.33
View Connection Server 2 cs2 192.168.199.34
View Security Server ss 192.168.199.35
Veeam ONE server v1 192.168.199.36
Veeam Backup &Replication Server vbr 192.168.199.37
vCloud Director vcd 192.168.199.38
vCloud Proxy vcd-proxy 192.168.199.39

81

vShield Manager vshield 192.168.199.40

Internal Network
VLAN ID 16
Subnet 172.16.199.0
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Host1 VMotion 172.16.199.11
Host2 VMotion 172.16.199.12
Host1 FT Logging 172.16.199.21
Host2 FT Logging 172.16.199.22
Host2 as ESX 4.1
Service Console for HA Heartbeat
172.16.199.42

IP Storage Network
VLAN ID 17
Subnet 172.17.199.0
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Host1 IPStore 1 172.17.199.11
Host2 IPStore 1 172.17.199.12
Host1 IPStore 2 172.17.199.21
Host2 IPStore 2 172.17.199.22

User-IDs
The follow user accounts are built into the standard lab build
System Purpose UserID Password
Lab.local domain Administrator VMware1!
Lab.local domain vSphere Administration vi-admin VMware1!
Lab.local domain Veeam services SVC_Veeam VMware1!
Lab.local domain vCloud access to vCenter SVC_vCD VMware1!
Lab.local domain SRM services (not yet used) SVC_SRM VMware1!
Router administration admin VMware1!
NAS admin VMware1!
Windows VMs Administrator VMware1!
VMA vi-admin VMw@re1!
vCloud Root VMware1!

Databases
The following databases are created in the DC build, all userIDs are SQL users
Name Owner Password Purpose
vCenter vpx VMware1! vCenter
VUM vpx VMware1! Update Manager
ViewEvents VMview VMware1! View Events

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ViewComposer VMview VMware1! View Composer

SRM VMSRM VMware1! Site Recovery Manager
SRMRep VMSRM VMware1! vSphere Replication
RSA RSA_USER VMware1! vCenter 5.1 SSO

Host Network
vMotion and Management Network VMkernel ports have symmetric NIC teaming on
VMnic0 and VMnic1,
each active on one and standby on the other. Both ports are enabled for
Management traffic to provide
redundant HA heart beating. There is no routing between the VLANs/subnets; the
default gateway for the
ESXi servers is on the 192.168.199.0 subnet.

83