Re: How to script deploying from template or making Clones

Sure, try something like this

$masterName="Server001"
$snapName="Master"
$esxName="MyEsx"
$oscustName="Your OSCustomizationSpec"

# Create a non-persistent copy
$oscust=Get-OSCustomizationSpec-Name$oscustName|New-OSCustomizationSpec-TypeNonPersistent
$vm=Get-VM-Name$masterName

# Get the snapshot
if($vm.PowerState-eq"PoweredON"){
  "Master VM $vmName needs to be powered off"
  return
}
Try {
  $snap=Get-Snapshot-Name$snapName-VM$vm-ErrorActionStop
}
Catch {
  $snap=New-Snapshot-Name$snapName-VM$vm
}

# Create the linked clones
Import-CsvC:\lclones.csv-UseCulture|%{
  # Configure NIC settings
  $nicParams=@{
    IPMode= "Static"
    IPAddress=$_.IP
    SubnetMask=$_.Mask
    DefaultGateway=$_.Gateway
    Dns=@($_.Dns)
  }
  Get-OSCustomizationNicMapping-OSCustomizationSpec$oscust|
  Set-OSCustomizationNicMapping$nicParams

  # Set admin password
  $osParams=@{
    AdminPassword=$_.Password
    NamingScheme= "Fixed"
    NamingPrefix=$_.Name
  }
  Get-OSCustomizationNicMapping-OSCustomizationSpec$oscust|
  Set-OSCustomizationSpec@osParams

  # Create linked clone
  $cloneParams=@{
    Name=$_.Name
    VM=$vm
    ReferenceSnapshot=$snap
    LinkedClone=$true
    VMHost=$esxName
    OSCustomizationSpec=$osSpec
  }
  New-VM@cloneParams
}

Your CSV file should look like this

Name,IP,Mask,Gateway,Dns,Password

VM1,192.168.1.1,255.255.255.0,193.168.1.254,DNS1,MyPswd