In Commander, you can connect datastore files, host devices and client devices to a VM's virtual hardware, such as a CD/DVD drive or floppy drive. Note that you can't add virtual hardware devices to a VM.
To connect media files to a VM's virtual hardware device, the datastore where the media file is stored must be mounted to the VM's host.
See also Create a Media Library.
Connect datastore ISO files to VMs' virtual hardware
You can install a guest operating system and its applications on a new VM, you can connect to an ISO file that's stored on a datastore accessible to the host.
Access: | Views > Inventory > Infrastructure or Applications |
Available to: | Administrator, Operator with Approval, Operator Access Rights |
- Select a VM in the tree, then select Actions > Configuration Management > Manage Connected Media.
In the Manage Connected Media dialog, the media devices available for that VM appear as well as any details about the media.
- Select one of the available media devices in the Media Devices section.
- If a selected media device is already connected, the Connected box on the Details pane is enabled.
The VM must be powered on to enable or disable the Connected option.
- Enable or disable the Connect at power on as required.
- From the Device Type menu, select Datastore.
- Next to the Datastore Path field, click Browse to locate the datastore file.
Datastores and files available to the VM's current host are displayed. Only ISO files are displayed when connecting a CD-ROM/DVD device. Only FLP files are displayed when connecting a floppy device.
A "vmimages" folder is displayed in the root of the datastore browser; this folder doesn't appear for Service Portal users.
- Click OK, and OK again.
Connect host devices to VMs' virtual hardware
You can connect to a physical CD or DVD device on the host so that you can install a guest operating system, VMware Tools, or other applications.
Access: | Views > Inventory > Infrastructure or Applications |
Available to: | Administrator, Operator with Approval, Operator Access Rights |
Select a VM in the tree, then select Actions > Configuration Management > Manage Connected Media
In the Manage Connected Media dialog, the media devices available for that VM appear as well as any details about the media.
- Select one of the available media devices in the Media Devices pane.
- If a selected media device is already connected, the Connected box on the Details pane is enabled.
The VM must be powered on to enable or disable the Connected option.
- Enable or disable the Connect at power on option as required.
- From the Device Type menu, choose Host Device.
- From the Host Device menu, choose the host device, then click OK.
Connect client devices or floppy images to VMs' virtual hardware
You can configure a virtual hardware device to allow a user to connect a local device or image to a powered-on VM. This allows a user to install a guest operating system and its applications or other media on a VM.
Access: | Views > Inventory > Infrastructure or Applications |
Available to: | Administrator, Operator with Approval, Operator Access Rights |
- Select a VM in the tree, then select Actions > Configuration Management > Manage Connected Media.
In the Manage Connected Media dialog, the media devices available for that VM appear as well as any details about the media.
- Select one of the available media devices in the Media Devices pane.
- If a selected media device is already connected, the Connected box on the Details pane is enabled.
The VM must be powered on to enable or disable the Connected option.
- Enable or disable the Connect at power on option as required.
- From the Device Type menu, choose Client Device.
- Click OK.
Disconnect virtual hardware devices
If you previously connected virtual hardware and you want to connect it to another datastore file, you must disconnect the previous file first.
Access: | Views > Inventory > Infrastructure or Applications |
Available to: | Administrator, Operator with Approval, Operator Access Rights |
To disconnect virtual hardware from a host device, client device or datastore file:
- Select a VM in the tree, then select Actions > Configuration Management > Manage Connected Media.
In the Manage Connected Media dialog, the media devices available for that VM appear as well as any details about the media.
- Select one of the available media devices in the Media Devices pane.
- Disable the Connected option, confirm the disconnection, and click OK.