Automate Windows VM Creation and Configuration in vSphere Using Packer, Terraform and Ansible (Part 2 of 3)
In the first entry of this series I showed how to create VM templates using Packer. Now we can use those templates to spin up actual VMs with help of Terraform.
All the scripts and configurations I use in this series of articles are available at my GitHub repository.
Creating VMs with Terraform
Terraform is a tool by Hashicorp which lets you turn your virtual infrastructure into code by writing declarative configuration files. It supports all the popular cloud infrastructure providers and most importantly VMware vSphere among others.
Setting up Terraform
- Install Terraform on your workstation by downloading the binary file. Put it somewhere on your $PATH. I use
~/binfor this purpose. - Clone my Github repo and
cdtoterraform - Run
terraform init. It will download the VMware vSphere provider plugin.
Now everything is ready to proceed with editing the configuration files and running Terraform.
Configuration files
When Terraform is run it reads all the .tf files in the working directory. This lets you group different logical parts of the configuration into separate files. In my example I have the following directory structure:
.
├── 01-PDC.tf
├── 02-ReplicaDC.tf
├── 03-FileServer.tf
├── base.tf
├── terraform.tfvars.example
└── variables.tf
I start with the base.tf where I define connection to vCenter and basic parameters such as datacenter name, compute and storage clusters and most importantly template VM. Template VM is used to set target VMs parameters such as number of CPUs, RAM and disk size etc. Those parameters are set in separate configuration files for each VM (01-PDC.tf, 02-ReplicaDC.tf and 03-FileServer.tf).
I also use variables.tf to define all the variables and terraform.tfvars to set the actual values.
It is considered best practice to add terraform.tfvars to .gitignore file to avoid leaking of sensitive data to version control system.
Running Terraform
After you have modified configuration files according to your environment you can run terraform plan. This will give you the idea of what will happen when you run terraform apply so you can review your configuration and double check everything before actually making any changes to the infrastructure. This step is crucial in production environments, but in our case, you can skip it and run terraform apply straight away. It will still list all the actions to be performed and ask you for confirmation before making any changes to the infrastructure.
"terraform apply" output
dteslya@ubuntu ~/a/terraform> terraform apply
data.vsphere_datacenter.dc: Refreshing state...
data.vsphere_virtual_machine.Win2016GUI_template: Refreshing state...
data.vsphere_datastore_cluster.datastore_cluster: Refreshing state...
data.vsphere_network.network: Refreshing state...
data.vsphere_compute_cluster.cluster: Refreshing state...
An execution plan has been generated and is shown below.
Resource actions are indicated with the following symbols:
+ create
Terraform will perform the following actions:
+ vsphere_virtual_machine.01-PDC
id: <computed>
boot_retry_delay: "10000"
change_version: <computed>
clone.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.ipv4_gateway: "10.5.202.1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.0: "10.5.202.3"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_address: "10.5.202.4"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_netmask: "24"
clone.0.customize.0.timeout: "10"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.admin_password: <sensitive>
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon: "true"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon_count: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.computer_name: "01-pdc"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.full_name: "Administrator"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.organization_name: "Managed by Terraform"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.#: "5"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.0: "winrm quickconfig -force"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.1: "winrm set winrm/config @{MaxEnvelopeSizekb=\"100000\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.2: "winrm set winrm/config/Service @{AllowUnencrypted=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.3: "winrm set winrm/config/Service/Auth @{Basic=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.4: "netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.time_zone: "85"
clone.0.template_uuid: "422e95b1-dfe9-25cd-b223-c87077093ae9"
clone.0.timeout: "30"
cpu_limit: "-1"
cpu_share_count: <computed>
cpu_share_level: "normal"
datastore_cluster_id: "group-p289"
datastore_id: <computed>
default_ip_address: <computed>
disk.#: "1"
disk.0.attach: "false"
disk.0.datastore_id: "<computed>"
disk.0.device_address: <computed>
disk.0.disk_mode: "persistent"
disk.0.disk_sharing: "sharingNone"
disk.0.eagerly_scrub: "false"
disk.0.io_limit: "-1"
disk.0.io_reservation: "0"
disk.0.io_share_count: "0"
disk.0.io_share_level: "normal"
disk.0.keep_on_remove: "false"
disk.0.key: "0"
disk.0.label: "disk0"
disk.0.path: <computed>
disk.0.size: "32"
disk.0.thin_provisioned: "true"
disk.0.unit_number: "0"
disk.0.uuid: <computed>
disk.0.write_through: "false"
ept_rvi_mode: "automatic"
firmware: "bios"
folder: "Teslya/mcsa"
force_power_off: "true"
guest_id: "windows9Server64Guest"
guest_ip_addresses.#: <computed>
host_system_id: <computed>
hv_mode: "hvAuto"
imported: <computed>
latency_sensitivity: "normal"
memory: "8192"
memory_limit: "-1"
memory_share_count: <computed>
memory_share_level: "normal"
migrate_wait_timeout: "30"
moid: <computed>
name: "01-pdc"
network_interface.#: "1"
network_interface.0.adapter_type: "vmxnet3"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_limit: "-1"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_reservation: "0"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_count: <computed>
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_level: "normal"
network_interface.0.device_address: <computed>
network_interface.0.key: <computed>
network_interface.0.mac_address: <computed>
network_interface.0.network_id: "dvportgroup-262"
num_cores_per_socket: "1"
num_cpus: "4"
reboot_required: <computed>
resource_pool_id: "resgroup-62"
run_tools_scripts_after_power_on: "true"
run_tools_scripts_after_resume: "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_shutdown: "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_standby: "true"
scsi_bus_sharing: "noSharing"
scsi_controller_count: "1"
scsi_type: "lsilogic-sas"
shutdown_wait_timeout: "3"
swap_placement_policy: "inherit"
uuid: <computed>
vapp_transport.#: <computed>
vmware_tools_status: <computed>
vmx_path: <computed>
wait_for_guest_net_routable: "true"
wait_for_guest_net_timeout: "5"
+ vsphere_virtual_machine.02-ReplicaDC
id: <computed>
boot_retry_delay: "10000"
change_version: <computed>
clone.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.ipv4_gateway: "10.5.202.1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.0: "10.5.202.3"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_address: "10.5.202.5"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_netmask: "24"
clone.0.customize.0.timeout: "10"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.admin_password: <sensitive>
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon: "true"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon_count: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.computer_name: "02-replicadc"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.full_name: "Administrator"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.organization_name: "Managed by Terraform"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.#: "5"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.0: "winrm quickconfig -force"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.1: "winrm set winrm/config @{MaxEnvelopeSizekb=\"100000\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.2: "winrm set winrm/config/Service @{AllowUnencrypted=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.3: "winrm set winrm/config/Service/Auth @{Basic=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.4: "netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.time_zone: "85"
clone.0.template_uuid: "422e95b1-dfe9-25cd-b223-c87077093ae9"
clone.0.timeout: "30"
cpu_limit: "-1"
cpu_share_count: <computed>
cpu_share_level: "normal"
datastore_cluster_id: "group-p289"
datastore_id: <computed>
default_ip_address: <computed>
disk.#: "1"
disk.0.attach: "false"
disk.0.datastore_id: "<computed>"
disk.0.device_address: <computed>
disk.0.disk_mode: "persistent"
disk.0.disk_sharing: "sharingNone"
disk.0.eagerly_scrub: "false"
disk.0.io_limit: "-1"
disk.0.io_reservation: "0"
disk.0.io_share_count: "0"
disk.0.io_share_level: "normal"
disk.0.keep_on_remove: "false"
disk.0.key: "0"
disk.0.label: "disk0"
disk.0.path: <computed>
disk.0.size: "32"
disk.0.thin_provisioned: "true"
disk.0.unit_number: "0"
disk.0.uuid: <computed>
disk.0.write_through: "false"
ept_rvi_mode: "automatic"
firmware: "bios"
folder: "Teslya/mcsa"
force_power_off: "true"
guest_id: "windows9Server64Guest"
guest_ip_addresses.#: <computed>
host_system_id: <computed>
hv_mode: "hvAuto"
imported: <computed>
latency_sensitivity: "normal"
memory: "8192"
memory_limit: "-1"
memory_share_count: <computed>
memory_share_level: "normal"
migrate_wait_timeout: "30"
moid: <computed>
name: "02-replicadc"
network_interface.#: "1"
network_interface.0.adapter_type: "vmxnet3"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_limit: "-1"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_reservation: "0"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_count: <computed>
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_level: "normal"
network_interface.0.device_address: <computed>
network_interface.0.key: <computed>
network_interface.0.mac_address: <computed>
network_interface.0.network_id: "dvportgroup-262"
num_cores_per_socket: "1"
num_cpus: "4"
reboot_required: <computed>
resource_pool_id: "resgroup-62"
run_tools_scripts_after_power_on: "true"
run_tools_scripts_after_resume: "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_shutdown: "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_standby: "true"
scsi_bus_sharing: "noSharing"
scsi_controller_count: "1"
scsi_type: "lsilogic-sas"
shutdown_wait_timeout: "3"
swap_placement_policy: "inherit"
uuid: <computed>
vapp_transport.#: <computed>
vmware_tools_status: <computed>
vmx_path: <computed>
wait_for_guest_net_routable: "true"
wait_for_guest_net_timeout: "5"
+ vsphere_virtual_machine.03-FileServer
id: <computed>
boot_retry_delay: "10000"
change_version: <computed>
clone.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.ipv4_gateway: "10.5.202.1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.0: "10.5.202.3"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_address: "10.5.202.6"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_netmask: "24"
clone.0.customize.0.timeout: "10"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.#: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.admin_password: <sensitive>
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon: "true"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon_count: "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.computer_name: "03-fileserver"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.full_name: "Administrator"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.organization_name: "Managed by Terraform"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.#: "5"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.0: "winrm quickconfig -force"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.1: "winrm set winrm/config @{MaxEnvelopeSizekb=\"100000\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.2: "winrm set winrm/config/Service @{AllowUnencrypted=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.3: "winrm set winrm/config/Service/Auth @{Basic=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.4: "netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.time_zone: "85"
clone.0.template_uuid: "422e95b1-dfe9-25cd-b223-c87077093ae9"
clone.0.timeout: "30"
cpu_limit: "-1"
cpu_share_count: <computed>
cpu_share_level: "normal"
datastore_cluster_id: "group-p289"
datastore_id: <computed>
default_ip_address: <computed>
disk.#: "1"
disk.0.attach: "false"
disk.0.datastore_id: "<computed>"
disk.0.device_address: <computed>
disk.0.disk_mode: "persistent"
disk.0.disk_sharing: "sharingNone"
disk.0.eagerly_scrub: "false"
disk.0.io_limit: "-1"
disk.0.io_reservation: "0"
disk.0.io_share_count: "0"
disk.0.io_share_level: "normal"
disk.0.keep_on_remove: "false"
disk.0.key: "0"
disk.0.label: "disk0"
disk.0.path: <computed>
disk.0.size: "32"
disk.0.thin_provisioned: "true"
disk.0.unit_number: "0"
disk.0.uuid: <computed>
disk.0.write_through: "false"
ept_rvi_mode: "automatic"
firmware: "bios"
folder: "Teslya/mcsa"
force_power_off: "true"
guest_id: "windows9Server64Guest"
guest_ip_addresses.#: <computed>
host_system_id: <computed>
hv_mode: "hvAuto"
imported: <computed>
latency_sensitivity: "normal"
memory: "8192"
memory_limit: "-1"
memory_share_count: <computed>
memory_share_level: "normal"
migrate_wait_timeout: "30"
moid: <computed>
name: "03-fileserver"
network_interface.#: "1"
network_interface.0.adapter_type: "vmxnet3"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_limit: "-1"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_reservation: "0"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_count: <computed>
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_level: "normal"
network_interface.0.device_address: <computed>
network_interface.0.key: <computed>
network_interface.0.mac_address: <computed>
network_interface.0.network_id: "dvportgroup-262"
num_cores_per_socket: "1"
num_cpus: "4"
reboot_required: <computed>
resource_pool_id: "resgroup-62"
run_tools_scripts_after_power_on: "true"
run_tools_scripts_after_resume: "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_shutdown: "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_standby: "true"
scsi_bus_sharing: "noSharing"
scsi_controller_count: "1"
scsi_type: "lsilogic-sas"
shutdown_wait_timeout: "3"
swap_placement_policy: "inherit"
uuid: <computed>
vapp_transport.#: <computed>
vmware_tools_status: <computed>
vmx_path: <computed>
wait_for_guest_net_routable: "true"
wait_for_guest_net_timeout: "5"
Plan: 3 to add, 0 to change, 0 to destroy.
Do you want to perform these actions?
Terraform will perform the actions described above.
Only 'yes' will be accepted to approve.
Enter a value: yes
vsphere_virtual_machine.02-ReplicaDC: Creating...
boot_retry_delay: "" => "10000"
change_version: "" => "<computed>"
clone.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.ipv4_gateway: "" => "10.5.202.1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.0: "" => "10.5.202.3"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_address: "" => "10.5.202.5"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_netmask: "" => "24"
clone.0.customize.0.timeout: "" => "10"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.admin_password: "<sensitive>" => "<sensitive>"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon: "" => "true"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon_count: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.computer_name: "" => "02-replicadc"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.full_name: "" => "Administrator"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.organization_name: "" => "Managed by Terraform"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.#: "" => "5"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.0: "" => "winrm quickconfig -force"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.1: "" => "winrm set winrm/config @{MaxEnvelopeSizekb=\"100000\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.2: "" => "winrm set winrm/config/Service @{AllowUnencrypted=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.3: "" => "winrm set winrm/config/Service/Auth @{Basic=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.4: "" => "netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.time_zone: "" => "85"
clone.0.template_uuid: "" => "422e95b1-dfe9-25cd-b223-c87077093ae9"
clone.0.timeout: "" => "30"
cpu_limit: "" => "-1"
cpu_share_count: "" => "<computed>"
cpu_share_level: "" => "normal"
datastore_cluster_id: "" => "group-p289"
datastore_id: "" => "<computed>"
default_ip_address: "" => "<computed>"
disk.#: "" => "1"
disk.0.attach: "" => "false"
disk.0.datastore_id: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.device_address: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.disk_mode: "" => "persistent"
disk.0.disk_sharing: "" => "sharingNone"
disk.0.eagerly_scrub: "" => "false"
disk.0.io_limit: "" => "-1"
disk.0.io_reservation: "" => "0"
disk.0.io_share_count: "" => "0"
disk.0.io_share_level: "" => "normal"
disk.0.keep_on_remove: "" => "false"
disk.0.key: "" => "0"
disk.0.label: "" => "disk0"
disk.0.path: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.size: "" => "32"
disk.0.thin_provisioned: "" => "true"
disk.0.unit_number: "" => "0"
disk.0.uuid: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.write_through: "" => "false"
ept_rvi_mode: "" => "automatic"
firmware: "" => "bios"
folder: "" => "Teslya/mcsa"
force_power_off: "" => "true"
guest_id: "" => "windows9Server64Guest"
guest_ip_addresses.#: "" => "<computed>"
host_system_id: "" => "<computed>"
hv_mode: "" => "hvAuto"
imported: "" => "<computed>"
latency_sensitivity: "" => "normal"
memory: "" => "8192"
memory_limit: "" => "-1"
memory_share_count: "" => "<computed>"
memory_share_level: "" => "normal"
migrate_wait_timeout: "" => "30"
moid: "" => "<computed>"
name: "" => "02-replicadc"
network_interface.#: "" => "1"
network_interface.0.adapter_type: "" => "vmxnet3"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_limit: "" => "-1"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_reservation: "" => "0"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_count: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_level: "" => "normal"
network_interface.0.device_address: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.key: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.mac_address: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.network_id: "" => "dvportgroup-262"
num_cores_per_socket: "" => "1"
num_cpus: "" => "4"
reboot_required: "" => "<computed>"
resource_pool_id: "" => "resgroup-62"
run_tools_scripts_after_power_on: "" => "true"
run_tools_scripts_after_resume: "" => "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_shutdown: "" => "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_standby: "" => "true"
scsi_bus_sharing: "" => "noSharing"
scsi_controller_count: "" => "1"
scsi_type: "" => "lsilogic-sas"
shutdown_wait_timeout: "" => "3"
swap_placement_policy: "" => "inherit"
uuid: "" => "<computed>"
vapp_transport.#: "" => "<computed>"
vmware_tools_status: "" => "<computed>"
vmx_path: "" => "<computed>"
wait_for_guest_net_routable: "" => "true"
wait_for_guest_net_timeout: "" => "5"
vsphere_virtual_machine.01-PDC: Creating...
boot_retry_delay: "" => "10000"
change_version: "" => "<computed>"
clone.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.ipv4_gateway: "" => "10.5.202.1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.0: "" => "10.5.202.3"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_address: "" => "10.5.202.4"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_netmask: "" => "24"
clone.0.customize.0.timeout: "" => "10"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.admin_password: "<sensitive>" => "<sensitive>"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon: "" => "true"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon_count: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.computer_name: "" => "01-pdc"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.full_name: "" => "Administrator"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.organization_name: "" => "Managed by Terraform"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.#: "" => "5"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.0: "" => "winrm quickconfig -force"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.1: "" => "winrm set winrm/config @{MaxEnvelopeSizekb=\"100000\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.2: "" => "winrm set winrm/config/Service @{AllowUnencrypted=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.3: "" => "winrm set winrm/config/Service/Auth @{Basic=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.4: "" => "netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.time_zone: "" => "85"
clone.0.template_uuid: "" => "422e95b1-dfe9-25cd-b223-c87077093ae9"
clone.0.timeout: "" => "30"
cpu_limit: "" => "-1"
cpu_share_count: "" => "<computed>"
cpu_share_level: "" => "normal"
datastore_cluster_id: "" => "group-p289"
datastore_id: "" => "<computed>"
default_ip_address: "" => "<computed>"
disk.#: "" => "1"
disk.0.attach: "" => "false"
disk.0.datastore_id: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.device_address: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.disk_mode: "" => "persistent"
disk.0.disk_sharing: "" => "sharingNone"
disk.0.eagerly_scrub: "" => "false"
disk.0.io_limit: "" => "-1"
disk.0.io_reservation: "" => "0"
disk.0.io_share_count: "" => "0"
disk.0.io_share_level: "" => "normal"
disk.0.keep_on_remove: "" => "false"
disk.0.key: "" => "0"
disk.0.label: "" => "disk0"
disk.0.path: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.size: "" => "32"
disk.0.thin_provisioned: "" => "true"
disk.0.unit_number: "" => "0"
disk.0.uuid: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.write_through: "" => "false"
ept_rvi_mode: "" => "automatic"
firmware: "" => "bios"
folder: "" => "Teslya/mcsa"
force_power_off: "" => "true"
guest_id: "" => "windows9Server64Guest"
guest_ip_addresses.#: "" => "<computed>"
host_system_id: "" => "<computed>"
hv_mode: "" => "hvAuto"
imported: "" => "<computed>"
latency_sensitivity: "" => "normal"
memory: "" => "8192"
memory_limit: "" => "-1"
memory_share_count: "" => "<computed>"
memory_share_level: "" => "normal"
migrate_wait_timeout: "" => "30"
moid: "" => "<computed>"
name: "" => "01-pdc"
network_interface.#: "" => "1"
network_interface.0.adapter_type: "" => "vmxnet3"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_limit: "" => "-1"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_reservation: "" => "0"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_count: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_level: "" => "normal"
network_interface.0.device_address: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.key: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.mac_address: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.network_id: "" => "dvportgroup-262"
num_cores_per_socket: "" => "1"
num_cpus: "" => "4"
reboot_required: "" => "<computed>"
resource_pool_id: "" => "resgroup-62"
run_tools_scripts_after_power_on: "" => "true"
run_tools_scripts_after_resume: "" => "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_shutdown: "" => "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_standby: "" => "true"
scsi_bus_sharing: "" => "noSharing"
scsi_controller_count: "" => "1"
scsi_type: "" => "lsilogic-sas"
shutdown_wait_timeout: "" => "3"
swap_placement_policy: "" => "inherit"
uuid: "" => "<computed>"
vapp_transport.#: "" => "<computed>"
vmware_tools_status: "" => "<computed>"
vmx_path: "" => "<computed>"
wait_for_guest_net_routable: "" => "true"
wait_for_guest_net_timeout: "" => "5"
vsphere_virtual_machine.03-FileServer: Creating...
boot_retry_delay: "" => "10000"
change_version: "" => "<computed>"
clone.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.ipv4_gateway: "" => "10.5.202.1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.dns_server_list.0: "" => "10.5.202.3"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_address: "" => "10.5.202.6"
clone.0.customize.0.network_interface.0.ipv4_netmask: "" => "24"
clone.0.customize.0.timeout: "" => "10"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.#: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.admin_password: "<sensitive>" => "<sensitive>"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon: "" => "true"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.auto_logon_count: "" => "1"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.computer_name: "" => "03-fileserver"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.full_name: "" => "Administrator"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.organization_name: "" => "Managed by Terraform"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.#: "" => "5"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.0: "" => "winrm quickconfig -force"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.1: "" => "winrm set winrm/config @{MaxEnvelopeSizekb=\"100000\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.2: "" => "winrm set winrm/config/Service @{AllowUnencrypted=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.3: "" => "winrm set winrm/config/Service/Auth @{Basic=\"true\"}"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.run_once_command_list.4: "" => "netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off"
clone.0.customize.0.windows_options.0.time_zone: "" => "85"
clone.0.template_uuid: "" => "422e95b1-dfe9-25cd-b223-c87077093ae9"
clone.0.timeout: "" => "30"
cpu_limit: "" => "-1"
cpu_share_count: "" => "<computed>"
cpu_share_level: "" => "normal"
datastore_cluster_id: "" => "group-p289"
datastore_id: "" => "<computed>"
default_ip_address: "" => "<computed>"
disk.#: "" => "1"
disk.0.attach: "" => "false"
disk.0.datastore_id: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.device_address: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.disk_mode: "" => "persistent"
disk.0.disk_sharing: "" => "sharingNone"
disk.0.eagerly_scrub: "" => "false"
disk.0.io_limit: "" => "-1"
disk.0.io_reservation: "" => "0"
disk.0.io_share_count: "" => "0"
disk.0.io_share_level: "" => "normal"
disk.0.keep_on_remove: "" => "false"
disk.0.key: "" => "0"
disk.0.label: "" => "disk0"
disk.0.path: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.size: "" => "32"
disk.0.thin_provisioned: "" => "true"
disk.0.unit_number: "" => "0"
disk.0.uuid: "" => "<computed>"
disk.0.write_through: "" => "false"
ept_rvi_mode: "" => "automatic"
firmware: "" => "bios"
folder: "" => "Teslya/mcsa"
force_power_off: "" => "true"
guest_id: "" => "windows9Server64Guest"
guest_ip_addresses.#: "" => "<computed>"
host_system_id: "" => "<computed>"
hv_mode: "" => "hvAuto"
imported: "" => "<computed>"
latency_sensitivity: "" => "normal"
memory: "" => "8192"
memory_limit: "" => "-1"
memory_share_count: "" => "<computed>"
memory_share_level: "" => "normal"
migrate_wait_timeout: "" => "30"
moid: "" => "<computed>"
name: "" => "03-fileserver"
network_interface.#: "" => "1"
network_interface.0.adapter_type: "" => "vmxnet3"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_limit: "" => "-1"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_reservation: "" => "0"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_count: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.bandwidth_share_level: "" => "normal"
network_interface.0.device_address: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.key: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.mac_address: "" => "<computed>"
network_interface.0.network_id: "" => "dvportgroup-262"
num_cores_per_socket: "" => "1"
num_cpus: "" => "4"
reboot_required: "" => "<computed>"
resource_pool_id: "" => "resgroup-62"
run_tools_scripts_after_power_on: "" => "true"
run_tools_scripts_after_resume: "" => "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_shutdown: "" => "true"
run_tools_scripts_before_guest_standby: "" => "true"
scsi_bus_sharing: "" => "noSharing"
scsi_controller_count: "" => "1"
scsi_type: "" => "lsilogic-sas"
shutdown_wait_timeout: "" => "3"
swap_placement_policy: "" => "inherit"
uuid: "" => "<computed>"
vapp_transport.#: "" => "<computed>"
vmware_tools_status: "" => "<computed>"
vmx_path: "" => "<computed>"
wait_for_guest_net_routable: "" => "true"
wait_for_guest_net_timeout: "" => "5"
vsphere_virtual_machine.02-ReplicaDC: Still creating... (10s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.01-PDC: Still creating... (10s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.03-FileServer: Still creating... (10s elapsed)
...
vsphere_virtual_machine.02-ReplicaDC: Still creating... (7m50s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.01-PDC: Still creating... (7m50s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.03-FileServer: Still creating... (7m50s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.01-PDC: Creation complete after 7m51s (ID: 422e621f-dcb4-d8c6-f5d1-865d1b06521a)
vsphere_virtual_machine.02-ReplicaDC: Still creating... (8m0s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.03-FileServer: Still creating... (8m0s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.02-ReplicaDC: Still creating... (8m10s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.03-FileServer: Still creating... (8m10s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.02-ReplicaDC: Still creating... (8m20s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.03-FileServer: Still creating... (8m20s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.02-ReplicaDC: Creation complete after 8m23s (ID: 422e7b9f-34fd-f513-4bce-df84a85c812a)
vsphere_virtual_machine.03-FileServer: Still creating... (8m30s elapsed)
vsphere_virtual_machine.03-FileServer: Creation complete after 8m32s (ID: 422e8ef8-63c1-6c91-8df7-877c6a1f91c6)
Apply complete! Resources: 3 added, 0 changed, 0 destroyed.
As you can see 3 VMs were successfully created during the terraform apply run. If you need to change something in the VMs configuration, for example add some RAM or CPU, you can run terraform apply once again. If you're done with your lab and want to delete the VMs, you can run terraform destroy.
One important note here. As you may have noticed there is a customize section in VMs configurations. This is actually guest customization which can be done manually in vSphere when deploying a new VM from a template. During this process Windows is sysprepped and that is why I have to set an administrator password and configure WinRM the second time (first time it was done during the template creation).
Conclusion
Now you can create and destroy VMs with one command which is very handy when you need to setup an ad-hoc lab. In the next post I will cover how to configure Windows with Ansible and perform such tasks as installing roles and services and creating and joining a domain.
References and further reading
- Running Terraform in Automation
- An Introduction to Terraform
- Datanauts 137: Automating Infrastructure As Code With Terraform
- Sysprep and VMware Guest Customization with Terraform