Creating virtual machines is one of the most common and important tasks you will encounter when working with VMware vSphere virtual environments.

The easy to use "New Virtual Machine" wizard available on both the host client and the vCenter server, makes it even simpler to complete this task. As much as it may seem like an easy task to achieve, especially when you have vCenter server and can work with clones and templates, choosing the correct method for creating virtual machines can save you time and make the deployment process manageable and scalable. Below are the options available for creating virtual machines:

1. Using the VMware Host Client

The VMware vSphere Host Client supports the following virtual machine deployment options:

  • Create a new virtual machine from scratch. You will be able to customize the VMs hardware. You will also need to install a guest operating system after creating the virtual machine.
  • Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or an OVA file. With this option, you will be guided through the process of creating a virtual machine from a pre-configured appliance.

2. Using vCenter Server

With vCenter server installed, you get more deployment options that simplify the process. Below are the options available with the vCenter server:

  • Create a new virtual machine from scratch. Similar to the VMware Host Client wizard, you will be able to customize the VMs hardware. and install a guest operating system after creating the virtual machine
  • Deploy a virtual machine from a template. A template is a golden image of a virtual machine that lets you easily create ready-for-use virtual machines. You need a template in your inventory to use this option.
  • Clone a Virtual Machine – This option allows you to create a copy of an existing virtual machine.

In this article, we are going to review the steps for creating a virtual machine on vSphere ESXi 6.7 and cloning the virtual machine using the Host client, just in case you do not have a vCenter server.

Creating a Virtual Machine using the ESXi 6.7 Host Client

Each virtual machine has its own virtual devices that provide the same functionality as the physical hardware. A VM will get resources like CPU and memory, storage, and network connectivity from the ESXi host it runs on.

Follow these steps to create a virtual machine using the host client:

Start the Virtual Machine Creation Process in the VMware Host Client by logging in to the Host client. Right-click Host in the VMware Host Client inventory and select Create/Register VM.

Creating a Virtual Machine using the ESXi 6.7 Host Client

Select the virtual machine creation type from the two available options:

  • Create a new virtual machine from scratch. You will be able to customize the VMs hardware. You will also need to install a guest operating system after creating the virtual machine.
  • Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or an OVA file. With this option, you will be guided through the process of creating a virtual machine from a pre-configured appliance.

We are using option one. Click Next to continue.

Creating a Virtual Machine using the ESXi 6.7 Host Client

On the next screen, we will enter the following:

  • Name – A unique name for the new virtual machine that will be used to identify it on your Host and will distinguish it from other virtual machines.
  • Compatibility – This is the Virtual Machine hardware version.
  • Guest OS family – This is the guest operating system for the Virtual Machine.
  • Guest OS version – This is the version of the Guest OS you are installing.

Selecting the right GuestOS family and version is very important since they determine the VMware tools to be installed on the Guest OS.

Click Next.

Creating a Virtual Machine using the ESXi 6.7 Host Client

Select the storage repository for the virtual machine files.

  • The Standard button saves all the virtual machine disks and configuration files on a standard datastore.
  • The Persistent Memory button saves the virtual machine hard disks on the host-local PMem datastore.

Click Next.

Creating a Virtual Machine using the ESXi 6.7 Host Client

Customize the guest hardware settings to match your requirements. You can modify the CPU, memory, storage and network settings. We will also select the repository for the installation media for our guest OS next to CD/DVD Drive (Our image is stored on the local datastore).

Creating a Virtual Machine using the ESXi 6.7 Host Client

Review the configured settings and click Finish.

Right-click the virtual machine we just created and select power on.

Creating a Virtual Machine using the ESXi 6.7 Host Client

After power on, right-click the virtual machine and open the console to view the guest VM console and complete the guest OS installation.

Creating a Virtual Machine using the ESXi 6.7 Host Client

Complete the Guest OS setup from the console.