VMware SE Fabian Wilckens has published this awesome tool that automatically builds a very small Linux image that allow end-users to automatically connect to a VMware View environment without having to enter any configuration parameters.
When you think of repurposing old hardware, you can easily do it with this tool and there is no need to change anything in your infrastructure.
TinyCore Builder for VMware View creates a very small Linux (TinyCore) disk image (iso) that includes Linux and VMware View Client 1.5 with a set of custom parameters that are selected via web interface.
You can build your own customized iso image that boots into a pre-configured VMware View session. The iso image is only 39MB allowing you to place it onto a USB stick, a PXE server, or local hard disk.
The website and tool can be accessed at http://repurpose.vmwaredotg.com/
NEW URL: repurpose.vmwarecloud.at
If you want to boot from USB, try success using UNetbootin (http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/), to convert ISO images to USB.
This article was first published by Andre Leibovici (@andreleibovici) at myvirtualcloud.net.
13 comments
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Paul
06/16/2012 at 10:35 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Yeah, that is pretty good stuff. I’ve been thinking about building something like this, but it is always nice when someone else does the leg work for you! =)
Mike
06/18/2012 at 12:19 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
That’s a very nice thing. I like the idea of having only things required to run. This idea made VMware successful in my opionion. (look at ESXi) How about putting other VMware products in a similar shape. Would decrease the size of an ovf for a vapp.
Erik Almundsen
06/18/2012 at 7:42 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I just stepped over this post and I am very interested.
If booted using PXE from a central location and configurable this is what I need urgently.
Will it be released as a Fling?
Andre Leibovici
06/18/2012 at 10:28 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
@Erik Almundsen
I believe Fabian Wilckens is pulling the strings to get the tool published as a VMware Fling.
Andre
Steve Saitman
10/18/2012 at 11:44 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I am unable to access the website…
zef
10/22/2012 at 12:54 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
url is down
Andre Leibovici
10/26/2012 at 5:18 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Fabian has updated the URL to repurpose.vmwarecloud.at
Steve Saitman
10/30/2012 at 9:09 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
This is Great! Only issue I am running into is how would you add a local Domain CA cert? Could someone point me in the right direction?
Cameron Smithers
10/31/2012 at 1:50 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I think for local certs you need to add them manually as this interface doesn’t include the option to do this automatically:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OpenSSL
And please check the section titled “Certificate Checking Modes for View Client” here http://www.vmware.com/pdf/view-client-linux-document.pdf
Doing this automatically through the GUI to build the image would be an awesome feature instead of just turning off cert checking! This seems like a great product.
webbit
11/20/2012 at 9:16 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Would love to be able to run this direct from HDD vs USB. Anyone with thoughts on how to accomplish this?
weda
11/28/2012 at 12:56 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hello,
is it possible to increase the resolution greater than 1280×1024? I read that tiny-core is not able to do more than 1280×1024. Because the View Computer takes the parent resolution, and that is … less advantageous. Is there any description what these parameters mean:
view.defaultDesktopHeight
view.defaultDesktopSize
view.defaultDesktopWidth
maybe it is possible to adjust the resolution there? But in which measure?
What about Multi-Monitor support?
Is there a way to contact the builder?
Mike
01/24/2013 at 11:33 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Quick question on this….is USB redirection possible while utilizing the above methods with booting from USB?
Michael
01/28/2013 at 1:58 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Andre,
I ran into issue of the cannot start X windows. I used ftpd32 to PXE boot. I was able to boot to tinycore, but the /tmp/tcploop was not mount. I think the ISO generate from website create separate mounting point for this.
How do modify the ISO to support the PXE Boot?