Create a content library (to store ISO files and VM templates) on VMware vSphere 6.7

3. Create a new virtual machine from the content library

Previously, we stored an OVF template of a Windows 10 virtual machine in our content library.
To deploy a new virtual machine from the OVF template stored in your content library, click: Content Libraries.

Next, click on the name of your content library.

Then, click on the name of the OVF template from which you want to deploy your new virtual machine.

Information about the desired OVF template appears.

To deploy a virtual machine from this OVF template, click: Actions -> New VM from This Template.

Indicate the name under which your virtual machine will be deployed from this template and select where (datacenter or folder) you want to add it.

Note that you can also automatically customize the guest operating system (if you wish) by checking the "Customize the operating system" box.
However, this is only possible if you have already created a VM customization specification beforehand.

Select the computing resource (or in other words, the "VMware ESXi" hypervisor) where this virtual machine will be executed.

Check the displayed information if necessary.

For virtual disk provisioning, the wizard will default to: Thick provision lazy zeroed.
However, to save space on your datastore, you can select "Thin provisioning".
This way, the virtual hard drive will only take up the space needed for the data on it.

Next, select the desired datastore (from the previously selected VMware ESXi hypervisor) and click Next.

Map the networks defined in the OVF template to those on your VMware vCenter Server.
In our case, this OVF template was created from this same server. Hence the name "VM Network".

A summary of your virtual machine deployment configuration appears.
Click Finish.

Next, click on "vSphere Client", then on: VMs and Templates.

As you can see, your virtual machine appears instantly.
However, this is not yet usable as its deployment is in progress.

If you open the "Recent Tasks" panel, you will see that a "Transfer File(s)" task is running.

You will also see 2 tasks regarding the deployment of the desired OVF template :

• Deploy an OVF template
• Deploy OVF module from content library to resource pool

A little later you will see that the task "Transfer one or more files" will be completed.

But, the "Deploy OVF Template" and "Deploy OVF Module..." tasks will still be running.

Once your OVF template deployment is complete, these tasks will also be completed.

Your new virtual machine has been deployed from your OVF template.