Connect to ISO image on datastore

[BrianGordon84]

Is there a way to do this through script? So I can mount the same iso to multiple vm's at once?

I've tried: get-cddrive vm_name | set-cddrive -isopath "vm_templates\iso-files\whatever\whatever.iso"

But it continues to error out with an invalid datastore message. Any ideas?

[LucD · Accepted solution]

The datastore path has to follow a specific syntax.

Like this

Get-CDDrive vm_name | Set-CDDrive -IsoPath "[datastorename] Folder\file.iso"

Don't forget the blank after the closing square bracket !

____________

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[BrianGordon84]

Thanks Luc, that works. Another issues I'm having is actually connecting the cd rom.

Get-CDDrive vm_name | Set-CDDrive -StartConnected:$true -Connected:$true -IsoPath "[vm_templates] files\file.iso" -Confirm:$false

When I go in and edit the vm I can see the cdrom has "Connect at power on" checked but the "Connected" field is not checked. I thought the -Connected:$true would do that but apparently not. Am I missing something?

[LucD]

I just tried it like this and that works

Get-CDDrive vm_name | Set-CDDrive  -StartConnected:$true -Connected:$true -IsoPath "vm_templates files\file.iso" -Confirm:$false

What state is the CDRom in before you do this ?

And can you also display the state of the CDRom after the first line

Can you do

Get-CDDrive vm_name | Select *
Get-CDDrive vm_name | Set-CDDrive  -StartConnected:$true -Connected:$true -IsoPath "vm_templates files\file.iso" -Confirm:$false
Get-CDDrive vm_name | Select *

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[BrianGordon84]

Here is the output that I got. For some reason it just doesn't seem to be connecting it. If I go into the guest OS and click on the cd-rom it acts like theres no disk inserted. If I go and edit the vm and click the "Connected" field and go back into the guest os the cd loads fine.

IsoPath : /vm_templates/ files/file.iso

HostDevice :

RemoteDevice :

ParentId : VirtualMachine-vm-85751

ConnectionState : VMware.VimAutomation.Client20.ConnectInfoImpl

Id : VirtualMachine-vm-85751/3000

Name : CD/DVD Drive 1

IsoPath : /vm_templates/ files/file.iso

HostDevice :

RemoteDevice :

ParentId : VirtualMachine-vm-85751

ConnectionState : VMware.VimAutomation.Client20.ConnectInfoImpl

Id : VirtualMachine-vm-85751/3000

Name : CD/DVD Drive 1

IsoPath : /vm_templates/ files/file.iso

HostDevice :

RemoteDevice :

ParentId : VirtualMachine-vm-85751

ConnectionState : VMware.VimAutomation.Client20.ConnectInfoImpl

Id : VirtualMachine-vm-85751/3000

Name : CD/DVD Drive 1

Note: replaced with /vm_templates/ since the board modifies it.

[LucD]

What does the connection state say.

Can you do

Get-CDDrive vm_name | Select -ExpandProperty ConnectionState
Get-CDDrive vm_name | Set-CDDrive  -StartConnected:$true -Connected:$true -IsoPath "vm_templates files\file.iso" -Confirm:$false
Get-CDDrive vm_name | Select -ExpandProperty ConnectionState

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[BrianGordon84]

AllowGuestControl Connected StartConnected

True False True

True False True

[LucD]

Perhaps a stupid question but is the guest powered on ?

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[BrianGordon84]

Yep.

[LucD]

Is the guest perhaps stuck in a "Installing VMware Tools" process ?

You should be able to see from the vSphere client.

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[BrianGordon84]

Nope, doesn't look like it.

[LucD]

I'm out of ideas I'm afraid

Do you have this on all guests ? Can you try on another guest ?

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[stromcooper]

I am experiencing the same issue actually. The VMs are powered on. ESX host, VC Server & Client at 4.0u1.

Get-PowerCLIVersion

PowerCLI Version

-

---

VMware vSphere PowerCLI 4.1 build 264274

$cd = Get-CDDrive ARCA

$cd | select *

IsoPath :

HostDevice :

RemoteDevice :

ParentId : VirtualMachine-vm-340

Parent : ARCA

ConnectionState : VMware.VimAutomation.ViCore.Impl.V1.ConnectInfoImpl

ExtensionData : VMware.Vim.VirtualCdrom

Id : VirtualMachine-vm-340/3002

Name : CD/DVD Drive 1

Uid : /VIServer=supermlc2024@fwdcwpappvct02:443/CDDrive=VirtualMach

ine-vm-340&slash;3002/

$cd.ConnectionState

AllowGuestControl Connected StartConnected

-

---

-

---

-

---

True False True

Set-CDDrive -CD $cd -IsoPath "[FTWCPCS04DS00] Software/9.1.19 SMP OS iso/SMPP91_8KS_20100709u19.iso" -Connected:$true -startconnected:$true -Confirm:$false

Iso HostDevice RemoteDevice

--- -

---

-

---

$cd = Get-CDDrive ARCA

$cd.ConnectionState

AllowGuestControl Connected StartConnected

-

---

-

---

-

---

True False True

We are trying to mount the ISO on 19 different VMs and none of them will go "Connected" via PowerCLI script. You can manually tick the box and they connect fine however. VMTools shows "OK", so I do not think it is an issue with the tools being mounted.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[LarmarPhillips]

Set-CDDrive -CD $cd -IsoPath "[FTWCPCS03DS00] Software/9.1.19 SMP iso/SMPP91_16KS_20100709u19.iso" -Connected $true -StartConnected $true -Confirm:$false

This worked for me.

[mgraveney]

Wanted to bump this post as I am having the same problems with the powershell vi toolkit

If i do the command

Get-CDDrive some_vm | Set-CDDrive -StartConnected:$False

and

Get-CDDrive some_vm | Set-CDDrive -StartConnected:$True

I can see the Start connected tick box change in the virtual centre

If i try

Get-CDDrive some_vm | Set-CDDrive -Connected:$False

or

Get-CDDrive some_vm | Set-CDDrive -StartConnected:$True

Nothing happens in the virtual centre.

Any ideas?

[LucD]

This works for me with an ISO and a host device.

WHich PowerCLI version are you using ?

Get-PowerCLIVersion

[avlieshout]

In your last example you mention:

Get-CDDrive some_vm | Set-CDDrive -StartConnected:$True

I suppose you meant:

Get-CDDrive some_vm | Set-CDDrive -Connected:$True

Make sure your CD drive isn't set to client device.

[mgraveney]

PowerCLI Version
----------------
   VMware vSphere PowerCLI 4.1 U1 build 332441
---------------
Snapin Versions
---------------
   VMWare vSphere PowerCLI 4.1 U1 build 332441

[LucD]

Strange, for -Connected:$true and -StartConnected both seem to work for a CD that is configured with an ISO or as host device.

What do you see for the Get-CDDrive ?

Get-CDDrive some_vm | Select *

[mgraveney]

Think I have worked this out, when specifying the .iso file on the datastore on a previous command I was using the wrong slashes

[datastore] somefolder\anotherfolder\mycd.iso

Is incorrect

[datastore] somefolder/anotherfolder/mycd.iso

is correct

Thanks for your help