AutoLab Download

Current Version: AutoLab 3.0 (vSphere 6.7, Windows 2016)

Deployment Guide PDF – Read this first

Each of these files is approximately 2GB in size

Nested AutoLab on Workstation or Fusion
Nested AutoLab on ESXi stand alone or vSphere with DRS
Nested AutoLab on vSphere with HA but without DRS

40 comments

  1. Hi Guys,
    Thanks for building such a lab.
    Unfortunately, when i install the DC a problem occures : Windows could not apply unattend settings during pass [offline servicing]
    may be you have an idea about this issue.
    Thanks a lot in advance

    Best regards

    Leon Danan

    1. The Windows 2008R2 ISO must contain SP1, the unattend settings file contains some Windows build number specific directives so the unattended install will only work with the 2008R2SP1 ISO.

  2. During the task 3 :-
    The installation of Windows server completes,Vcenter automation starts selects 5.
    Then continues Installing Sql Client, Vcenter 5 ,Vsphere Client,Vsphere Update Manager, populates sysprep files then starts vmware vsphere Power CLI.
    Then gives an error message:
    Vmware product installation:
    An error occured installing the package windows installer returned 1618

    Abort Retry Ingnore

    Can anybody help me in this.

    Thanks & Regards
    Jamshir

  3. I have downloaded vSphere5AutoLab_Workstation_v1_0 and I am trying implement on VMware workstation 8.0.4.
    During the task 3 :- to implement Vc
    I hav downloaded windows 2008 server Sp1 image and conneted to Drive and attached the floppy to vc.flp from \\build \192.168.99.7\automate\bootfloppies.
    Downloaded windows 2003 server imageand renamed as windows.iso, placed to \\build \192.168.99.7 .
    The installation of Windows server completes,Vcenter automation starts then selected 5.
    Then continues Installing Sql Client, Vcenter 5 ,Vsphere Client,Vsphere Update Manager, populates sysprep files then starts vmware vsphere Power CLI.
    Then gives an error message:
    Vmware product installation:
    An error occured installing the package windows installer returned 1618

    Can Anbody help me in this plz

  4. As always, Great Job! This has made my life much simpler to test different scenarios in this virtual environment.

  5. “There are two ESXi packages: one needs the ability to run vApps, so vCentre and a DRS cluster, the other is less simple to deploy but works with an ESXi environment.” Where is the non DRS download for ESXi?

  6. Thanks a lot for this great tool. Has allowed me to quickly demo and test a very specific deployment load for a customer. This prototyping process has saved me days of labs. Client is very impressed !!!

      1. Hello there,
        Thanks for great work for all platform!
        I am trying to setup Win2012 as dc as per guide, but I get “Failed to configure the DHCP service.
        The interface maybe disconnected. The system cannot find the file specified.
        Here is screenshot.

        1. I figure this out: there’s a mistake in Fusion Professional, under Preferences->Network settings, vmnet3 property both “Connect the host Mac to this network” and “Provide addresses on this network via DHCP” should be checked, failure to do so Win2k12 latest version for some reason do not connect to “Build” share and unable to find scripts.

  7. version 1.5 for ESXi without DRS is broken (“end of file reached” error), while workstation version works great. Please reupload

        1. Igor, I have re-uploaded as a Zip file.
          I’ll also look into adding MD5 checksums for future releases.

          Thanks for your patience.

    1. Sorry, I’m currently doing some maintenance and re-hosting the download files.

        1. Correct. The blog is now transferred fully, including the AutoLab binaries. But I’m still in the process of bringing the forums over.
          Thanks for your patience.

  8. Hi The autolab for Workstation does not seem to extract when downloaded. The zip shows as Empty. Is this a known error?
    Thanks

  9. The “ESXi with DRS” vApp has the NAS guest as the next-to-last in startup order? I thought it’d always be first (unless the router is also needed).

  10. Just in time when I’m about to build my home lab. Thanks Alastair and the team for sharing this to the community. Great work!

  11. I am getting an error “The OVF package requires support for vApps with multiple VMs when I try to deploy OVFin ESXi5.5 please help???

  12. Hi new here. I have added all the machines to my vmware workstation 11 sharedVM. Do I need to install any operating systems I want on these machines? When I power any of them on they say they cannot find systemdisk, insert system disk and press enter.

    Is there a step by step tutorial on this?

    Thanks

  13. I would like to setup Autolab 2,6 I do not see the download for it. On this page, there is a just a label for it. Does anyone know where I can download it?

  14. I cant access the Build share Ip 192.168.199.7 as mentioned in document .I am able to ping it but

  15. Hello. The Autolab 2.6 “Nested AutoLab on Workstation or Fusion” zip file seems to have missing “Automate” folder. Not sure if its just me.

  16. Savvy post – I Appreciate the details , Does someone know if I might locate a blank CT Sales & Use Tax Resale Cerfiticate example to use ?

  17. Will there ever be another update? Haven’t seen anything for several years. vSphere 6.7 and Windows Server 2016 are now standard. Also the vCloud/vRealize stuff would do well in Autolab. Any response?

Comments are closed.