"The mind of a Mad Tech!"

This article explains how to boot a VMware Virtual Machine (VM) or Virtual Applicance using a ISO / bootable media. This works with all versions of VMWare virtualization products including ESX/ESXi, Vmware Workstation and VMware Server (Discontinued).

1. Start up the Vmware vSphere session by providing your hostname or IP address, username and password.

   
    

2. Once you have logged in you will need to navigate and locate the VMware that you wish to boot from an ISO. Make sure that the VM is powered off as you will not be able to make these changes with the VM powered on. Once you have powered the VM right click on the name of the VM and click “Edit Settings”.

   

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Tags: iso, media, vmware, vsphere

This article covers both Windows workstations and servers.

Windows does not include a function that lets you mount an ISO into the Operating System, which normally would force you to convert that ISO to a CD. However there are utilities that will allow you to mount an ISO, which comes in handy, especially if you are wanting to convert CD’s to ISO’s  for transfer to your server.

Virtual Clone Drive

Virtual Clone Drive is a free to use ISO mounting utility that will work on Windows 98/XP/7/Vista and Windows 2000/2003/2008 server. You just install it and it will associate with your ISO’s which you can then can simply double click on an ISO or right click on it and choose to mount it.

Installing Virtual Clone Drive

1. You can download Virtual Clone Drive by going to http://www.slysoft.com/en/download.html. This install file works for both 32-bit and 64-bit, so there\’s no need to look for different versions of the install. Downclick the application and follow the directions.
2. Either elect to take the default assoications or choose to manually selection the associations.

   

3. You will need to specify a directory if you choose not to use the default location.

   

4. Once installed, you will need to click on the icon that was placed on your desktop or choose the application from your programs list. There you will be able to set the options for Virtual Clone Drive, such as the amount of drives to emulate and how long the mount history can be seen.

   

5. Finally to mount an ISO, you will need to click on one of the drives you created and choose “Mount”. You will then be able to browse to the ISO and mount it.

    

Now you can view the contents of the ISO now by opening the drive, just like you would with a CD or DVD.

Tags: iso, mount, Windows