SCVMM Sample Unattend.XML for Windows Server 2008 & R2

re: SCVMM Sample Unattend.XML for Windows Server 2008 & R2

ChrAd — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 19:37:49 GMT

Hey Basti-

I apologize that I just saw this comment (Oops!). Let me see what I can do to help you. The easiest method, I've found, is to watch the deployment closely and specifically the location where the actual VM's VHDs are created (this is like D:\VMs, etc.)

SCVMM will always merge together both the settings you configure in VMM & the unattend settings into a vfd file that is attached to the VM during creation. This vfd is a virtual floppy disk and it will be a file like unattend.vfd. If you are monitoring this folder, you can grab this file (a copy)and then view it in Notepad. It will usually show you the master configuration settings. Give this a shot if you are still having problems...

Thanks,

-Chris

re: SCVMM Sample Unattend.XML for Windows Server 2008 & R2

Basti78 — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:22:27 GMT

Hello Chris,

nice how to for the first steps.

Perhaps, you can give me some hints why it doesn't work.

At first, I created a template ("Windows Web Server 2008 R2") for the creation of VMs. Second, I created a AutoUnattend.xml with the WAIK (WSIM) based on the same OS. Validation of the xml file works well, no warning or errors. After this, I imported the answer file into my library.

So, I began to create a VM, based on the template. And on the section of the os profile, I choosed the created autounattend.xml and all seems to be correct.

But, after the deployment of the VM, I recognized that all my configurations and settings in the autounattend.xml were disregarded.

Do you have any ideas why or hints for debugging this issue?

thanks in advance

basti78

re: SCVMM Sample Unattend.XML for Windows Server 2008 & R2

ChrAd — Wed, 05 May 2010 16:46:02 GMT

Hey Jeff-

This is a great point and one that I failed to mention. It does scope it based on your Guest OS selection. Great post and thanks for sharing!

-Chris

re: SCVMM Sample Unattend.XML for Windows Server 2008 & R2

Jeff Bryant — Wed, 05 May 2010 16:33:57 GMT

Make sure you set the correct OS type in the Guest OS properties, otherwise you will not see the unattend.xml specific to the OS version when you browse for it.

re: SCVMM Sample Unattend.XML for Windows Server 2008 & R2

Brent — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:31:44 GMT

I was able to try a refresh. The same procedure was used to make the inf appear.

It's kinda weird!

Anything you can offer is greatly appreciated,

Brent

re: SCVMM Sample Unattend.XML for Windows Server 2008 & R2

ChrAd — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:34:05 GMT

Hey Brent-

The default interval for a Library refresh is every 60 minutes. I didn't catch whether you refreshed the library server in question?

Can you confirm?

Thanks,

-Chris

re: SCVMM Sample Unattend.XML for Windows Server 2008 & R2

Brent — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:23:56 GMT

...follow-up. If i place a .inf file in the same folder, it shows up. Seems something is wrong with the .xml filtering of ths dialog box.

I'm using SCVMM ver 2.0.4271.0. I beleive this is the RTM version.

re: SCVMM Sample Unattend.XML for Windows Server 2008 & R2

Brent — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:01:10 GMT

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the info. Even though I've added my <unattend>.xml file the the new folder as you did...the xml file doesn't show up in the "Select answer file..." window. I'll note, it does show up when I select "Library Server" in the screen above.

Ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Brent