Cannot mount ISO to install guest using ESX 3.5

[crt]

I am receiving the following error message when I try to start the guest with the DVD pointing to an ISO file.

Invalid value "/isofiles/centos.iso" for configuration key "ide0:0.fileName". Value was not accepted by rule "Virtual IDE Devices".

Virtual machine not configured according to rules specified in /etc/vmware/configrules.

This worked fine when we used ESX 3.0.2 and it is not working with 3.5

Thanks Chris

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Where is the isofile located? On the workstation running Virtual Infrastructure Client, or /vmimages, or a VMFS? /vmimages is no longer supported within VI3.5, but the others should still work.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education. As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[crt]

The isofiles directory is located on the ESX server /dev/cciss/c0d0p7 mounted as /isofiles ext3.

We also in the past mounted a SMB volume from a Windows server with iso images stored on it, mounted as /isofiles/shared.

Chris

[Texiwill]

Hello,

There is your problem. It is not possible to access mountpoints on your VI3/ESX v3.5 Server from the VM CDROM Settings configuration. In order to use your ISO file you should either place it on a VMFS or use the 'Client Device' and use the Virtual Infrastructure Client to Mount the CD/DVD device.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education. As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[RParker]

> vmimages is no longer supported within VI3.5, but the others should still work.

Not true, the made vmimages available after the 3/10/08 patches.

[RParker]

Just point to it from the client, and then setup the VM guest to use client device, rather than a physical device. ISO images are just as accessible.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Interesting. I have yet to install the 3/10 patches.

Not sure I agree, from a security perspective. I prefer no VM be able to directly access any file on the SC nor will this be available when the SC pretty much dissappears as VMware states that is what they desire to do. VI 3i is an example of the future.

You can also edit the file /etc/vmware/configrules if you want to allow any directory you want. This is not recommended however.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education. As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization