PowerCLI Automate multiple Virtual Machines Creation in vCenter using CSV file

In This Video, you will learn how to automate multiple Virtual Machine build. We are using CSV file to give input for PowerShell script and whatever information you have used in *csv file, it will be used to build the VM's.

You can use below script and let me know if you are facing any challenges.

======Script Here=====
$vms = Import-CSV "E:\VMList.CSV"

foreach ($vm in $vms)
{
#Assigning variables as per CSV File
$VMName =$vm.Name
$Template = Get-Template -name $vm.Template
$Cluster = $vm.Cluster
$Datastore = Get-Datastore -Name $vm.Datastore
$Custom = Get-OSCustomizationSpec -Name $vm.Customization
$vCPU = $vm.vCPU
$Memory = $vm.Memory
$Network = $vm.Network
$Location = $vm.Location
$IPaddress = $vm.IPaddress
$Subnetmask = $vm.Subnetmask
$DefaultGateway = $vm.DefaultGateway
$PrimaryDNS = $vm.PrimaryDNS
$SecondaryDNS = $vm.SecondaryDNS

#Assign Network Details to Custom Template
Get-OSCustomizationSpec $Custom | Get-OSCustomizationNicMapping | Set-OSCustomizationNicMapping -IpMode UseStaticIp -IPaddress $IPaddress -Subnetmask $Subnetmask -DefaultGateway $DefaultGateway -Dns $PrimaryDNS,$SecondaryDNS

#Deploying the VM
New-VM -Name $VMName -Template $Template -ResourcePool (Get-Cluster $Cluster | Get-ResourcePool) -location $location -StorageFormat Thin -Datastore $Datastore -OSCustomizationSpec $Custom
Start-Sleep -Seconds 10

#Set vCPU, Memory and Network (VLAN) and Additonal HDD to VM
$NewVM = Get-VM -NAME $VMName
$NewVM | Set-VM -MemoryGB $Memory -NumCpu $vCPU -Confirm:$false
$NewVM | Get-NetworkAdapter | Set-NetworkAdapter -NetworkName $Network -Confirm:$false
#Add additonal HDD if present
#Start the VM to continue the customization process
Start-VM -VM $NewVM -Confirm:$false
#Remove Network Details to Custom Template
#Get-OSCustomizationSpec $Custom | Get-OSCustomizationNicMapping | Remove-OSCustomizationNicMapping -Confirm:$false
}
======= Script End ==========

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[vfwnsyh]

Hi Frempong, could you share the command line for additional hard drive

#Add additonal HDD if present

[rakeshramanarayanan]

Hi Swapnil
Good Day,
While executing the script we are receiving the below error.
Get-Template : Cannot validate argument on parameter 'Name'. The argument is null or empty. Provide an argument that is not null or empty, and then
try the command again.
for everything should I do some thing with CSV file ?
Please advice

[frempongadarkwa]

how do you deploy only from Templates without custom

[vfwnsyh]

Hello Brother, I have vSAN datastore and storage format applied thru storage policy for vSAN datastore. How do we change -StorageFormat by default vSAN storage policy instead of Thin provisioning

#Deploying the VM
New-VM -Name $VMName -Template $Template -ResourcePool (Get-Cluster $Cluster | Get-ResourcePool) -location $location -StorageFormat Thin -Datastore $Datastore -OSCustomizationSpec $Custom
Start-Sleep -Seconds 10

[syedfarooq]

Hi Sir,

Can you please make one script for fetch multiple VC RVtool report with encrypted password.

[frempongadarkwa]

I tried using your script but i keep on getting this feedback

Import-CSV : The member "Name" is already present.
At line:2 char:8
+ $vms = Import-CSV "E:\VMList.CSV"
+
+ CategoryInfo : NotSpecified: (:) [Import-Csv], ExtendedTypeSystemEx
ception
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : AlreadyPresentPSMemberInfoInternalCollectionAdd, Micr