Auto Deploy Error

[SantoshKumar36]

Hi - I am been trying to install the ESXi via auto deploy mode on vmware workstation 8 in my lab,

I am getting an error after the rule creation, I have enclosed the jpg file.Am I unable to find any clue. Can anyone please help.

It boots and gets the IP. create the rule based on MAC pattern and finally it takes 10 min and gives the error(enclosed)

[spravtek]

Try disabling IPv6 on the TFTP server ...

It seems to be a network malfunction/interruption

Some gPXE troubleshooting tips from: http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2000988

gPXE Troubleshooting

During initial boot, an ESXi host  attempts to obtain an IP address via DHCP using PXE. In the unlikely  event that the server fails to load the PXE boot image, it is possible  to boot into a gPXE shell by pressing Ctrl+B. These commands can be useful for troubleshooting PXE networking configuration issues.

• To attempt to obtain a DHCP address, run one of these commands:
  
  
  • dhcp net0 (the machine can then be pinged)
    
    
  • config net0
    
    
  • set net0/ip x.x.x.x
set net0/netmask x.x.x.x
set net0/gateway x.x.x.x
set net0/dns x.x.x.x
    
    
• To verify the routing information, run the command:
  
  route
  
  
• To verify the PXE image loaded, run the command:
  
  imgstat
  
  Note: The default PXE image is vmw-hardwired.
  
  
• To verify TFTP connectivity, run the command:
  
  imgfetch tftp://x.x.x.x/tramp

Message was edited by: spravtek

[SantoshKumar36]

I tried diabling it on VC server and tftp server, but no luck.However I have restarted my system. BTW I am unable to browse the auto deploy webpage http://<IP addr of Auto Deploy>:6501/vmw/rbd/tramp. Any suggestions...?

[spravtek]

Did you disable IPv6 through the Windows Registry, or only on the NIC of the server?

Did you try using httpS like https://x.x.x.x:port_number/vmw/rbd/host/

[SantoshKumar36]

Sorry it was https://x.x.x.x:port_number/vmw/rbd/host/

I have disabled it through NIC card properties. Do i need use the registry to delete it...?

[spravtek]

To completely disable IPv6: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929852

Can you browse to the website using https now?

[SantoshKumar36]

IPV6 was the culprit. I have uninstalled it, but i didn't restarted the system,after restating I am able to access the auto deploy web URL. Will let you know  shortly about the provisioning of ESXi 5 works or not.

[SantoshKumar36]

Nope, still the same issue issue, no change in the error msg. I have create the new-deployrule based on the mac pattern and did activated that rule but MAC is perfectly alrit to proceed.

[SantoshKumar36]

Thanks for the help !!

I am unable verify the PXE image and its not downloading too.I have attached the error msg of TFTP while in troubleshooting mode of TFTP at boot time.

[spravtek]

Hi ... Am I seeing double or did you type FTFP instead of TFTP ... That's what I'm seeing in the picture no?

Could you try again with tftp?

[SantoshKumar36]

Sorry !! it was the just mistake in file name.Nothing else... though of building from scrath for TFTP server.

[SantoshKumar36]

Still no luck, can some body give provide me inputs, I browsed the boot.cfg file. it states the below msg:

bootstate=0 title = loading VMware ESXi Kernel=None kernelopt=None modules=None build= updated=0

So this means that, image is not being downloaded into to the new provisioning server...?

[spravtek]

Maybe there is an issue with the iPXE? It wouldn't be the first time ...

Someone found a workaround for it: http://www.gabesvirtualworld.com/vmware-vsphere-5-1-ipxe-problems-with-autodeploy/

Not saying it's your problem ... But who knows.

Did you try those commands again with the correct syntax? tftp <> ftfp ...

Does it give you another error there?

[SantoshKumar36]

Let me try this out. Here is the result of tftp commands. My bad, made a celli mistake.

[spravtek]

No problem ...

The "connection timed out" could mean a networking issue ...

You were testing this on a VMware Workstation setup right?

How is your network set up? Is everything virtual or are some things physical?

[SantoshKumar36]

Yes, I am testing on Vmware workstation 8.0. my network is like there's only one physical NIC on motherboard that is of Realteck PCIe GBE Family Controller. All the machines are enabled with the Host-Only(A private network shared with the host) , and I am running AD/DHCP, and fews other VMs on hypervisor too, I don't suspect any problem,from N/W prspective I have tested it..

I am just looking at the article which you have gave me..

[spravtek]

Take your time ...

The strange thing is, the first time, it worked, but got interrupted (I/O error) ... Which also points to either a networking issue or an issue with PXE.

[SantoshKumar36]

The link which you gave is refers to iPXE in the vSphere 5.1 and talking about the replacing the TFTP binaries to the old version i.e of Auto Deploy 5.....

[spravtek]

Yes ... Aren't you testing with 5.1?

I'm not saying you need to do this ... But it's hard to help further ... Maybe you can list what you have tried and tested to see if there is something we missed?

[SantoshKumar36]

Nope. I was trying on Auto Deploy version 5. I have unistalled WinAgents TFTP server and replaced with Solarwindws and re-created the Deployrule with different MAC, but no luck.I have not missed any steps which we had it in the conversation. Let me try and re-deploy it to vSphere 5.1.

[SantoshKumar36]

Andre - I found the cause. All the steps what we followed were exactly correct. But I made the small miskate in the rule creation using new-deployrule command. I was creased based the MAC pattern and while creation I entered the MAC in the small letter and I deleted the old one and created the new one with the MAC address entered in CAPS, It worked fine.  Thanks for your help -

[spravtek]

I woud suggest to run through the previous mentioned troubleshooting ... Maybe it's a problem with routing or something ...

[venkatesh710]

Hi spravtek,

Thank You. I have faced the same issue and resolved using the previous mentioned troubleshooting. Also I would suggest to use AutoDeploy GUI instead of PowerCLI to create the rules ,manage, etc.. By which you can troubleshoot the issues easily.

Auto Deploy GUI can be downloaded from https://labs.vmware.com/flings/autodeploygui

Thanks,

Venkatesh

[venkatesh710]

Hi @SantoshKumar36, Thanks for the Post.

This helped me to resolved the issue with Auto deploy configuration.

Thanks,

Venkatesh